Mellette
South Dakota

What stands out

What stands out about Mellette County: life expectancy is among the shortest in America (65.9 years), the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), and the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 5th of 60 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Mellette County, South Dakota. 1,989 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 1.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -18).

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 $41,397 a year, lower than 92% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $36,865. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 63% 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

A two-bedroom rents for around $850 a month. Property tax is 1.62% of home value, roughly $984 a year on that median home, higher than 90% of American counties. 57% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 93% of American counties.

A child born here can expect to live 65.9 years, shorter 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. 14.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.39 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 93% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 20 points. 52% 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 50°F, highs near 63 and lows near 37, colder than 74% of American counties. About 21 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 75 Mbps down, slower than 94% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation.