Custer
South Dakota

What stands out

Three things set Custer County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the top 2% of American counties (86%), the restaurant count per person is in the top 4% of American counties (1.8 per 1,000), and violent crime is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 2nd of 66 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Custer County, South Dakota. 8,515 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +107).

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 $75,943 a year, higher than 83% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $47,494. Unemployment runs 2.8%, lower than 71% of American counties. 12% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

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

Home

The median home costs $516K, pricier than 94% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $867 a month. Property tax is 0.83% of home value, roughly $2,439 a year on that median home, lower than 53% of American counties. 86% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.9 per 1,000 residents, lower than 95% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 12 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 80.9 years, longer than 95% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 5.9 per 10,000 people. 9.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.94 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 56% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 42 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 73% 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 47°F, highs near 60 and lows near 34, colder than 83% of American counties. About 17 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 58 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 146 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 2 National Park Service sites.