1st Advantage MortgageThe median Aurora County household earns $72,885, and 11% of residents live below the poverty line. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in South Dakota before sharing details.
On this page
- A quick profile of Aurora County
- Paychecks and income spread in Aurora County
- The Aurora County job picture
- Rent, home values and ownership in Aurora County
- Counties near Aurora County
- The communities that make up Aurora County
- A Aurora County household budget, worked through
- Before borrowing in Aurora County
- Who lives in Aurora County, in numbers
- Checklist for Aurora County applicants
- Who licenses lenders for Aurora County residents
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Aurora County
With an estimated 2,642 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Aurora County ranks 51st of 66 in South Dakota for population. Land area is 708 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Aurora County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 5 Census places inside Aurora County, Plankinton leads by population with about 603; 3 of the 5 are incorporated. Because Aurora County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Paychecks and income spread in Aurora County
At $72,885, the typical Aurora County household income is 11% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 31st among South Dakota's 66 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Aurora County | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.2% | +0.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.5% | +4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.2% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.0% | -4.1 pts |
About 21% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 10.6%, 1 point lower than the state's 11.9%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
The Aurora County job picture
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Aurora County residents work in education and health care and 23% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 23% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Aurora County averages 1.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home.
| Top industries | Aurora County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.8% | +4.8 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.8% | +16.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.6% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -3.2 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Aurora County
A typical Aurora County rental runs $747 a month including utilities, which is 21% below South Dakota. By the Census definition, 34% of Aurora County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $151,900, or 2.1 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%. Median construction year: 1962.
| Aurora County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $747/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $151,900 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 34% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Aurora County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Counties near Aurora County
Davison County is closest, 21 miles from center to center; the sixth, Charles Mix County, is 36 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Aurora County; Douglas County is highest at $86,442 and Charles Mix County lowest at $64,038.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aurora County | - | $72,885 | $747/mo | 73% |
| Davison County, SD | 21 mi | $66,208 | $847/mo | 61% |
| Jerauld County, SD | 24 mi | $73,750 | $632/mo | 84% |
| Douglas County, SD | 26 mi | $86,442 | $877/mo | 77% |
| Brule County, SD | 26 mi | $73,720 | $835/mo | 76% |
| Sanborn County, SD | 32 mi | $78,750 | $725/mo | 79% |
| Charles Mix County, SD | 36 mi | $64,038 | $704/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Aurora County
5 Census places fall mainly inside Aurora County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 1,372 residents, leaving about 48% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plankinton | city | 603 | $74,833 | $970 | 5 mi |
| White Lake | city | 469 | $48,889 | $667 | 7 mi |
| Stickney | town | 284 | $59,750 | $839 | 12 mi |
| Aurora Center | CDP | 16 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Storla | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 15 mi |
A Aurora County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Aurora County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,074 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $747 uses 12%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,379 left for all other debt payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,986 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before borrowing in Aurora County
Where the Aurora County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Consolidating cards in Aurora County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Who lives in Aurora County, in numbers
College graduates make up 21% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 5.2%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Measure | Aurora County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 21.4% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.3% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.6% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.2% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Checklist for Aurora County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Aurora County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Dakota.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Who licenses lenders for Aurora County residents
Aurora County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the South Dakota Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the South Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Aurora County?
$72,885 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,081 for South Dakota. It ranks 31st of 66 in the state.
How much is rent in Aurora County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $747 a month; 34% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Aurora County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Aurora County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Aurora County?
By population: Plankinton, White Lake, Stickney, Aurora Center, Storla. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Are Aurora County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.