1st Advantage MortgageThe median Davison County household earns $66,208, 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
- Davison County by the numbers
- Income in Davison County compared with South Dakota
- Rent, home values and ownership in Davison County
- Employment and commuting in Davison County
- Places inside Davison County
- Regional comparison for Davison County
- Davison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Davison County
- Budget math at the Davison County median
- A Davison County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
- More guides for Davison County
- Frequently asked questions
Davison County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Davison County's population at 19,952; only 9 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 436 square miles, that works out to roughly 45.8 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Davison County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 4 places in the county (3 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Mitchell, with about 15,649 residents, or 78% of the county.
Income in Davison County compared with South Dakota
Half of Davison County households take in less than $66,208 a year and half take in more, 12% below the South Dakota median of $75,081. That places it 46th among South Dakota's 66 county-level areas.
| Household income | Davison County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.8% | +4.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.7% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.0% | -4.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -2.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Davison County households make $100,000 or more, and 26% make less than $35,000. 11.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). None of these numbers decides a Davison County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Davison County
Renters in Davison County pay a median of $847 a month, 10% below the South Dakota figure of $946. 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 17% spend half or more. Home values center on $205,800, or 3.1 years of median income. Owners occupy 61% of homes.
| Measure | Davison County | South Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $847/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $205,800 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.2% | 7.2% | n/a |
Employment and commuting in Davison County
Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. Compared with South Dakota, the county leans toward construction (10% against 8%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.9% in Davison County. Long commutes are the exception here: 5% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Davison County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 24.9% | -0.1 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.0% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | -0.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.1% | +2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.9% | -0.1 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Places inside Davison County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Davison County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 16,450 residents, leaving about 18% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell | city | 15,649 | $58,620 | $851 | 7 mi |
| Mount Vernon | city | 442 | $60,357 | $386 | 6 mi |
| Ethan | town | 346 | $60,417 | $878 | 13 mi |
| Loomis | CDP | 13 | n/a | n/a | 8 mi |
Regional comparison for Davison County
Six nearby counties, 18 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Douglas County leads the group on income ($86,442), Aurora County trails ($72,885), and Davison County out-earns 0 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Davison County | - | $66,208 | $847/mo | 61% |
| Hanson County, SD | 18 mi | $81,071 | $782/mo | 89% |
| Aurora County, SD | 21 mi | $72,885 | $747/mo | 73% |
| Douglas County, SD | 22 mi | $86,442 | $877/mo | 77% |
| Sanborn County, SD | 24 mi | $78,750 | $725/mo | 79% |
| Hutchinson County, SD | 31 mi | $73,977 | $727/mo | 77% |
| Jerauld County, SD | 35 mi | $73,750 | $632/mo | 84% |
Davison County residents: age, schooling, coverage
23% of Davison County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 8.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Davison County | All of South Dakota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.6 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.6% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 8.9% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.2% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.9% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Davison County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 65.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 5.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Borrowing situations common in Davison County
Based on the Davison County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Budget math at the Davison County median
Here is the Davison County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,517 a month: gross income for a household at the Davison County median
- Less median rent of $847, which is 15% of it
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,525 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Davison County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Davison County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Davison County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Dakota borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
The South Dakota Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's South Dakota license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the South Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Davison County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Davison County?
$66,208 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,081 for South Dakota. It ranks 46th of 66 in the state.
How does Davison County rent compare with South Dakota?
$847 locally versus $946 for the state, 10% below.
Which towns does the Davison County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Mitchell, Mount Vernon, Ethan, Loomis.
Can Davison County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Davison County residents?
The South Dakota Division of Banking licenses consumer lenders in South Dakota; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.