McPherson
South Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, McPherson County is unusual in three ways: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.1 years of income), population growth is among the fastest shrinking in America (-2.6% a year), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 3rd of 66 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in McPherson County, South Dakota. 2,251 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 2.6% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -44).

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 $58,529 a year, lower than 56% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,808. Unemployment runs 2.7%, lower than 77% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 19 minutes each way.

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

Home

A two-bedroom rents for around $626 a month. Property tax is 1.42% of home value, roughly $1,104 a year on that median home, higher than 82% of American counties. 79% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.1 per 1,000 residents, lower than 90% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 79.4 years, longer than 87% of American counties. There are 0 active physicians in the county, about 0.0 per 10,000 people; the nearest doctor is in another county. 13.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.08 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 59% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 64 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 43°F, highs near 54 and lows near 32, colder than 95% of American counties. About 22 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 14 out of 100, safer than 86% of American counties; the county has had 19 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 129 Mbps down, slower than 78% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.