1st Advantage MortgageThe median Day County household earns $66,033, and 15% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Day County by the numbers
- Day County housing compared with South Dakota
- How much Day County households make
- Employment and commuting in Day County
- Places inside Day County
- How Day County compares with nearby counties
- People and households in Day County
- What the numbers mean for Day County borrowers
- What a median Day County budget can carry
- Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
- Steps before you apply in Day County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Day County by the numbers
With an estimated 5,437 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Day County ranks 32nd of 66 in South Dakota for population. Land area is 1,028 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 5 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Day County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 9 places in the county (8 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Webster, with about 1,896 residents, or 35% of the county. Because Day County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Day County housing compared with South Dakota
Renters in Day County pay a median of $660 a month, 30% below the South Dakota figure of $946. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 30% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $173,600, about 2.6 times the median household income. Owners occupy 75% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1967.
| Housing | Day County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $660/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $173,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 30% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 17% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 4.3% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 31% | 11% | n/a |
Because most Day 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.
How much Day County households make
At $66,033, the typical Day County household income sits near the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 47th of 66.
| Income band | Share in Day County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.2% | +3.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.8% | -0.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.4% | -2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.6% | +0.5 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 33% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 14.8%, 3 points higher than the state's 11.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.458 (0 is perfect equality). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Day County
Education and health care employs 17% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 16%. Compared with South Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (16% against 6%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.1% in Day County. About 76% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Day County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 16.7% | -8.3 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 16.0% | +9.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.5% | +0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.4% | +0.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.8% | -0.6 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 7.3% | +0.6 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
Places inside Day County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Day County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 3,203 residents, leaving about 41% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. This guide covers each of the 9 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Webster | city | 1,896 | $55,179 | $653 | 3 mi |
| Waubay | city | 337 | $36,389 | $603 | 13 mi |
| Enemy Swim | CDP | 301 | $30,357 | $433 | 15 mi |
| Bristol | city | 275 | $56,250 | $729 | 8 mi |
| Pierpont | town | 161 | $92,500 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Roslyn | town | 147 | $49,375 | $525 | 11 mi |
| Grenville | town | 53 | $90,385 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Andover | town | 31 | $68,333 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Butler | town | 2 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
How Day County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (26 to 41 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Day County; Marshall County is highest at $78,156 and Roberts County lowest at $65,130.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day County | - | $66,033 | $660/mo | 75% |
| Marshall County, SD | 26 mi | $78,156 | $752/mo | 80% |
| Codington County, SD | 33 mi | $72,727 | $938/mo | 70% |
| Clark County, SD | 35 mi | $70,726 | $782/mo | 78% |
| Roberts County, SD | 36 mi | $65,130 | $658/mo | 71% |
| Brown County, SD | 41 mi | $70,898 | $777/mo | 68% |
| Grant County, SD | 41 mi | $75,028 | $763/mo | 76% |
People and households in Day County
22% of Day County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Day County | South Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.8 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.0% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.6% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.5% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.0% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.8% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.1% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Day County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 49.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 22.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 6.7% |
What the numbers mean for Day County borrowers
Based on the Day County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
What a median Day County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Day County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,503 gross per month ($66,033 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $660, takes 12% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,321 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
Before sharing details with a lender, a Day County resident can confirm its license with the South Dakota Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Day County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Day County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Day County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Day County household make?
About $66,033 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 12% below the South Dakota median.
How much is rent in Day County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $660 a month; 30% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Day County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 75% of Day County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Day County?
By population: Webster, Waubay, Enemy Swim, Bristol, Pierpont. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Will a Day 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.