1st Advantage MortgageClark County households have a median income of $70,726 and median rent of $782 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's South Dakota license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Clark County
- Income in Clark County compared with South Dakota
- Jobs and commutes in Clark County
- Renting and owning in Clark County
- Places inside Clark County
- Clark County and the counties next door
- Clark County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Clark County
- A Clark County household budget, worked through
- Before you sign
- Lender oversight for Clark County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Clark County
Clark County is home to about 3,917 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 41st most populous of 66 county-level areas in South Dakota. It covers 958 square miles of land, or about 4 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Clark County is not part of any metropolitan area. Clark is the biggest of its 13 Census places, at roughly 1,359 people (35% of the county total). Because Clark County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Clark County compared with South Dakota
The median household income in Clark County is $70,726; statewide it is $75,081, so Clark County runs 6% below South Dakota as a whole. That places it 37th among South Dakota's 66 county-level areas.
| Household income | Clark County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.1% | +2.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.1% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 27.3% | 0.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -2.6 pts |
Some 23% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 33% have six-figure incomes. The poverty rate is 10.9%, 1 point lower than the state's 11.9%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.441 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Clark County
The biggest employer of Clark County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 25% of workers, followed by education and health care (15%). Compared with South Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (25% against 6%). Averaged over the five survey years, 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 69% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Clark County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 24.9% | +18.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.8% | -10.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.4% | +1.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.3% | -2.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.1% | +1.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Clark County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Renting and owning in Clark County
A typical Clark County rental runs $782 a month including utilities, which is 17% below South Dakota. By the Census definition, 26% of Clark County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $158,400, or 2.2 years of median income. 78% of Clark County households own their home and 22% rent. The median home was built in 1957, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Clark County | South Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $782/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $158,400 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 26% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.0% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Places inside Clark County
13 Census places fall mainly inside Clark County; the 13 biggest are below. They account for 2,274 residents, leaving about 42% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Clark County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark | city | 1,359 | $58,750 | $775 | 2 mi |
| Willow Lake | city | 433 | $72,875 | $815 | 16 mi |
| Naples | town | 96 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Raymond | town | 82 | $75,000 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Bradley | town | 78 | $57,500 | n/a | 17 mi |
| Garden City | town | 78 | $93,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Mayfield Colony | CDP | 77 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Vienna | town | 49 | $43,125 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Crocker | CDP | 22 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Collins Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 21 mi |
| Fordham Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Hillcrest Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Silver Lake Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Clark County and the counties next door
Codington County is closest, 27 miles from center to center; the sixth, Beadle County, is 41 miles off. Income ranges from $66,033 in Day County to $87,101 in Hamlin County; 3 of these neighbors top Clark County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clark County | - | $70,726 | $782/mo | 78% |
| Codington County, SD | 27 mi | $72,727 | $938/mo | 70% |
| Hamlin County, SD | 29 mi | $87,101 | $800/mo | 82% |
| Spink County, SD | 30 mi | $70,139 | $734/mo | 73% |
| Day County, SD | 35 mi | $66,033 | $660/mo | 75% |
| Kingsbury County, SD | 36 mi | $74,000 | $685/mo | 82% |
| Beadle County, SD | 41 mi | $67,681 | $879/mo | 73% |
Clark County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Clark County | South Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.3 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.7% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.4% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 17.1% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.9% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 45.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.8% |
Borrowing situations common in Clark County
What the Clark County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Consolidating cards in Clark County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Clark County borrower sees (free reports).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Clark County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
A Clark County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Clark County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,894 before taxes
- 13% goes to median rent ($782)
- $1,340: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Clark County:
- Price the Clark County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Clark County
Clark 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. The South Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Clark County household make?
About $70,726 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 6% below the South Dakota median.
How does Clark County rent compare with South Dakota?
$782 locally versus $946 for the state, 17% below.
Which towns does the Clark County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 13 Census places: Clark, Willow Lake, Naples, Raymond, Bradley.
Are Clark 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.
Where can someone in Clark 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.