Sanborn
South Dakota

What stands out

Against every county in America, Sanborn County is unusual in three ways: the share working from home is in the top 2% of American counties (19%), the overdose death rate is in the bottom 4% of American counties (0 per 100,000), and violent crime is in the bottom 5% of American counties (2.9 per 1,000). Within South Dakota it ranks 6th of 66 counties for the share working from home.

Where you are

You live in Sanborn County, South Dakota. 2,373 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -13).

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 $65,806 a year, higher than 64% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,586. Unemployment runs 2.1%, lower than 94% of American counties. 19% 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 $237K, pricier than 51% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $570 a month. Property tax is 1.25% of home value, roughly $1,615 a year on that median home, higher than 75% of American counties. 76% 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.

A child born here can expect to live 76.6 years, longer than 59% 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. 15.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.48 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 88% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 66% 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 48°F, highs near 60 and lows near 35, colder than 83% of American counties. About 23 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 19 out of 100, safer than 81% of American counties; the county has had 22 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: 1.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.