Aurora
South Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Aurora County apart from the other 3,142 counties: unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), violent crime is in the bottom 2% of American counties (2.7 per 1,000), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 16th of 66 counties for unemployment, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Aurora County, South Dakota. 2,590 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +20).

South Dakota has no income tax, no estate tax and no corporate income tax, and it is the country's largest trust jurisdiction because of its favorable trust law. Sales tax applies to groceries and most services. Sioux Falls and Rapid City carry most of the growth; the state's winters are long and its plains are exposed to severe storms. Property taxes are moderate.

Money

The typical household here brings in $71,490 a year, higher than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,846. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home.

South Dakota has no state income tax, so none of that goes to the state.

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $708 a month. Property tax is 1.12% of home value, roughly $1,352 a year on that median home, higher than 68% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than 98% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 76.4 years, longer than 57% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 3.9 per 10,000 people. 12.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.16 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 72% of American counties. 91% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 74% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Dakota law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 48°F, highs near 61 and lows near 36, colder than 80% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 17 out of 100, safer than 83% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 212 Mbps down, faster than 55% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 1.1 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.