1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Butte County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $75,652. 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
- Butte County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Butte County
- Employment and commuting in Butte County
- Housing costs in Butte County
- Counties near Butte County
- Butte County towns compared
- More Butte County figures
- Borrowing situations common in Butte County
- Room for a loan payment in Butte County
- Lender oversight for Butte County
- Steps before you apply in Butte County
- More guides for Butte County
- Frequently asked questions
Butte County by the numbers
Butte County is home to about 10,676 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 17th most populous of 66 county-level areas in South Dakota. It covers 2,250 square miles of land, or about 5 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Butte County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 5 Census places inside Butte County, Belle Fourche leads by population with about 5,804; 4 of the 5 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Butte County
The median household income in Butte County is $75,652, close to the statewide $75,081.
| Yearly household income | Butte County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.7% | +3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.7% | -4.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.7% | +0.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.9% | +0.8 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 37% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 8.6%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.457 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Butte County median.
Employment and commuting in Butte County
The biggest employer of Butte County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 17% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (15%). Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 15% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 11% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home. 5.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Butte County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 17.3% | -7.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 14.9% | +8.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 9.6% | +1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.1% | +0.7 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Butte County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Butte County
Renters in Butte County pay a median of $972 a month, 3% above the South Dakota figure of $946. By the Census definition, 46% of Butte County renters are cost-burdened. With a median value of $244,600, a typical Butte County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 76%. Median construction year: 1982.
| Cost | Butte County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $972/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $244,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 24.1% | 7.2% | n/a |
Because most Butte County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Counties near Butte County
Six nearby counties, 41 to 65 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Harding County leads the group on income ($80,441), Carter County trails ($54,167), and Butte County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in Montana and Wyoming. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Butte County resident follows South Dakota rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Butte County | - | $75,652 | $972/mo | 76% |
| Lawrence County, SD | 41 mi | $73,384 | $938/mo | 65% |
| Meade County, SD | 44 mi | $74,790 | $1,264/mo | 73% |
| Harding County, SD | 48 mi | $80,441 | $521/mo | 77% |
| Crook County, WY | 56 mi | $79,637 | $852/mo | 78% |
| Perkins County, SD | 65 mi | $66,908 | $738/mo | 78% |
| Carter County, MT | 65 mi | $54,167 | $824/mo | 62% |
Butte County towns compared
5 Census places fall mainly inside Butte County; the 5 biggest are below. They account for 6,498 residents, leaving about 39% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Butte County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 5.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belle Fourche | city | 5,804 | $65,071 | $983 | 24 mi |
| Newell | city | 378 | $84,792 | $1,125 | 13 mi |
| Fruitdale | town | 134 | $17,450 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Nisland | town | 109 | $26,979 | $913 | 16 mi |
| Vale | CDP | 73 | $40,455 | n/a | 20 mi |
More Butte County figures
20% of Butte County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Butte County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.2 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.9% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.6% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.5% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.8% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.6% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.2% |
| 60+ min | 8.3% |
Borrowing situations common in Butte County
Where the Butte County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 24% of Butte County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Renters under pressure. When 46% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
Room for a loan payment in Butte County
Here is the Butte County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,304 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $972 uses 15%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,550 left for all other debt payments
If your rent is above $972, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Lender oversight for Butte County
Consumer lenders serving Butte County are licensed by the state, not the county; in South Dakota that is the South Dakota Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Butte County
Quick steps for Butte County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the South Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Butte County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Butte County earn?
The median is $75,652; 37% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Butte County?
$972 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
Does this page cover Belle Fourche?
Yes, along with the other 4 Census places in Butte County, such as Newell, Fruitdale, Nisland.
Is the fit check different in Butte County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Where can someone in Butte 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.