Miner
South Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Miner County is unusual in three ways: the home price against local income is among the most affordable in America (1.1 years of income), unemployment is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.9%), and violent crime is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 2nd of 66 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Miner County, South Dakota. 2,312 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +6).

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 $62,037 a year, higher than 55% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,524. Unemployment runs 1.9%, lower than 98% of American counties. 12% 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 $198K, cheaper than 63% of American counties, about 1.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $656 a month. Property tax is 1.27% of home value, roughly $1,189 a year on that median home, higher than 76% of American counties. 81% 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.

A child born here can expect to live 77.1 years, longer than 65% of American counties. There is 1 active physician in the county, about 4.3 per 10,000 people. 9.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.29 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 78% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 68% 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 59 and lows near 35, colder than 83% of American counties. About 25 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 18 out of 100, safer than 82% of American counties; the county has had 20 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.