Jones
South Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Jones County is unusual in three ways: the restaurant count per person is among the most in America (4.3 per 1,000), violent crime is among the lowest in America (2.7 per 1,000), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income). Within South Dakota it ranks 1st of 46 counties for the restaurant count per person.

Where you are

You live in Jones County, South Dakota. 1,006 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.3% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -15).

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 $61,250 a year, higher than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $35,332. Unemployment runs 2.5%, lower than 84% of American counties. 15% 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 $753 a month. Property tax is 0.91% of home value, roughly $900 a year on that median home, higher than 54% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 2.7 per 1,000 residents, lower than almost every county in America.

There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 8.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

95% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 68 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 92% 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 49°F, highs near 62 and lows near 37, colder than 77% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 5 out of 100, safer than 95% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 110 Mbps down, slower than 85% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 4.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.