1st Advantage MortgageThe median Brown County household earns $70,898, and 12% 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
- Brown County, SD: the basics
- What Brown County households earn
- How Brown County residents earn a living
- What it costs to live in Brown County
- The counties around Brown County
- The communities that make up Brown County
- More Brown County figures
- Before borrowing in Brown County
- Budget math at the Brown County median
- A Brown County borrower's checklist
- Licensing and complaints for Brown County
- More guides for Brown County
- Frequently asked questions
Brown County, SD: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Brown County's population at 37,877; only 3 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 1,713 square miles, that works out to roughly 22.1 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Brown County is not part of any metropolitan area. Aberdeen is the biggest of its 15 Census places, at roughly 28,189 people (74% of the county total).
What Brown County households earn
At $70,898, the typical Brown County household income is 8% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Brown County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.6% | +4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | -1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | -2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -0.7 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. Census counts 11.7% of Brown County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Brown County median.
How Brown County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; retail trade is next with 12%. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 4% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 6.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Brown County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.7% | +0.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.2% | +0.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.9% | +1.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.3% | 0.0 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -1.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What it costs to live in Brown County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $777 in Brown County versus $946 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $221,100, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 68% of homes.
| Brown County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $777/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $221,100 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 68% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.0% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 11% | n/a |
The counties around Brown County
Six nearby counties, 36 to 46 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Brown County; Edmunds County is highest at $81,630 and Day County lowest at $66,033. The list crosses into North Dakota, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | - | $70,898 | $777/mo | 68% |
| Dickey County, ND | 36 mi | $68,654 | $840/mo | 80% |
| Marshall County, SD | 39 mi | $78,156 | $752/mo | 80% |
| Day County, SD | 41 mi | $66,033 | $660/mo | 75% |
| Edmunds County, SD | 43 mi | $81,630 | $992/mo | 81% |
| McPherson County, SD | 44 mi | $66,906 | $594/mo | 81% |
| Spink County, SD | 46 mi | $70,139 | $734/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Brown County
15 Census places fall mainly inside Brown County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 31,810 residents, leaving about 16% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $113,750 at the median in Warner, $64,405 in Aberdeen. Median rent ranges from $762 in Aberdeen to $1,089 in Warner. Live in one of these Brown County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aberdeen | city | 28,189 | $64,405 | $762 | 10 mi |
| Groton | city | 1,691 | $89,861 | $981 | 15 mi |
| Warner | town | 512 | $113,750 | $1,089 | 20 mi |
| Prairiewood Village | CDP | 474 | $160,625 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Hecla | city | 182 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
| Columbia | city | 161 | $58,295 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Frederick | town | 160 | $76,667 | $755 | 18 mi |
| Claremont | town | 106 | $46,250 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Westport | town | 93 | $58,942 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Bath | CDP | 91 | $33,750 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Bath Corner | CDP | 72 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Stratford | town | 62 | $58,125 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Hutterville Colony | CDP | 13 | n/a | n/a | 23 mi |
| Verdon | town | 4 | n/a | n/a | 27 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
More Brown County figures
College graduates make up 34% of the adult population. 5.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Brown County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.8 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 33.8% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.3% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.3% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 68.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.5% |
| 60+ min | 2.2% |
Before borrowing in Brown County
What the Brown County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Budget math at the Brown County median
Here is the Brown County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Brown County: $5,908
- Median rent: $777, or 13 cents of every gross dollar
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,764 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Brown County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Brown County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Licensing and complaints for Brown County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Brown County resident can confirm its license with the South Dakota Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
More guides for Brown County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Brown County a high-income county?
Its $70,898 median ranks 36th of 66 South Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Brown County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $777 against $946 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I live in a small Brown County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Aberdeen, Groton, Warner, Prairiewood Village, Hecla and 10 more.
Is the fit check different in Brown County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Brown County check a lender's license?
With the South Dakota Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.