Brown
South Dakota

What stands out

What stands out about Brown County: violent crime is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000), the average temperature is in the bottom 7% of American counties (44°F), and unemployment is in the bottom 9% of American counties (2.3%). Within South Dakota it ranks 31st of 66 counties for violent crime, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Brown County, South Dakota. 38,278 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -277).

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 $70,379 a year, higher than 75% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,430. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 91% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

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

Home

The median home costs $244K, pricier than 54% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $796 a month. Property tax is 1.25% of home value, roughly $2,498 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 96% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 79.5 years, longer than 88% of American counties. There are 91 active physicians in the county, about 23.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.30 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 79% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 23 points. 61% 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 44°F, highs near 56 and lows near 33, colder than 93% of American counties. About 24 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 79 out of 100, riskier than 79% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 189 Mbps down, slower than 55% of American counties. There are 6 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.