1st Advantage MortgageIn Corson County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $46,406 a year and the typical rent is $496. 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
- Corson County, SD: the basics
- Income in Corson County compared with South Dakota
- Employment and commuting in Corson County
- What it costs to live in Corson County
- Regional comparison for Corson County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Corson County
- Corson County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Corson County
- A Corson County household budget, worked through
- Lender oversight for Corson County
- Steps before you apply in Corson County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Corson County, SD: the basics
Corson County is home to about 3,806 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 42nd most populous of 66 county-level areas in South Dakota. Spread over 2,470 square miles, that works out to roughly 1.5 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Corson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. McLaughlin is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 683 people (18% of the county total). Because Corson County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Corson County compared with South Dakota
The median household income in Corson County is $46,406; statewide it is $75,081, so Corson County runs 38% below South Dakota as a whole. That places it 63rd among South Dakota's 66 county-level areas.
| Income band | Share in Corson County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 43.5% | +22.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.8% | -8.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 14.9% | -12.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.8% | -1.3 pts |
About 44% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 44.2%, 32 points higher than the state's 11.9%. A household earning below the $46,406 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Corson County
The biggest employer of Corson County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 27% of workers, followed by education and health care (23%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 27% locally and 6% for South Dakota. The survey's unemployment rate for Corson County averages 23.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 8% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 11.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Corson County | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 27.0% | +20.7 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.0% | -2.0 pts |
| Public administration | 10.2% | +5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | -0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.4% | +1.1 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Corson County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
What it costs to live in Corson County
A typical Corson County rental runs $496 a month including utilities, which is 48% below South Dakota. By the Census definition, 28% of Corson County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $69,800, or 1.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 59% of homes. Median construction year: 1974.
| Cost | Corson County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $496/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $69,800 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 59% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 23% | n/a |
Regional comparison for Corson County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (30 to 59 miles). Income ranges from $42,083 in Sioux County to $68,929 in Campbell County; 5 of these neighbors top Corson County's median. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Corson County resident follows South Dakota rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Corson County | - | $46,406 | $496/mo | 59% |
| Sioux County, ND | 30 mi | $42,083 | $444/mo | 47% |
| Dewey County, SD | 41 mi | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Grant County, ND | 51 mi | $57,875 | $675/mo | 83% |
| Ziebach County, SD | 53 mi | $53,958 | $734/mo | 57% |
| Campbell County, SD | 57 mi | $68,929 | $760/mo | 76% |
| Walworth County, SD | 59 mi | $65,026 | $926/mo | 76% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Corson County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Corson County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 1,715 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Corson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| McLaughlin | city | 683 | $62,159 | $923 | 20 mi |
| Bullhead | CDP | 294 | $32,589 | $592 | 8 mi |
| Little Eagle | CDP | 275 | $23,750 | $243 | 19 mi |
| Kenel | CDP | 163 | $68,750 | $388 | 37 mi |
| Wakpala | CDP | 144 | $20,938 | $450 | 31 mi |
| McIntosh | city | 80 | $97,500 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Morristown | town | 76 | $45,000 | n/a | 31 mi |
Corson County households compared
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 16.9%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Measure | Corson County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 29.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.0% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.9% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 16.9% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 24.2% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 44.2% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 23.5% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.1% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Corson County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Corson County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 17% of Corson County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 44% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Corson County household budget, worked through
Here is the Corson County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $3,867 a month: gross income for a household at the Corson County median
- Rent at the median, $496, takes 13% of that
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $896 left for all other debt payments
- $1,167: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Corson County's.
Lender oversight for Corson County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Corson County borrowers answers to 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.
Steps before you apply in Corson County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Corson County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- A South Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask a Corson County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Corson County a high-income county?
Its $46,406 median ranks 63rd of 66 South Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Corson County?
$496 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Corson County?
By population: McLaughlin, Bullhead, Little Eagle, Kenel, Wakpala. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Will a Corson County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming South Dakota as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Is there a Corson County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In South Dakota it is the South Dakota Division of Banking.