1st Advantage MortgageIn Dewey County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $54,104 a year and the typical rent is $692. 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
- Dewey County by the numbers
- Household income in Dewey County
- Housing costs in Dewey County
- The Dewey County job picture
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Dewey County
- Dewey County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Dewey County borrowers
- Budget math at the Dewey County median
- A Dewey County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Dewey County by the numbers
With an estimated 5,205 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Dewey County ranks 36th of 66 in South Dakota for population. Spread over 2,302 square miles, that works out to roughly 2.3 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Dewey County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. North Eagle Butte is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 1,481 people (28% of the county total). Because Dewey County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Dewey County
At $54,104, the typical Dewey County household income is 18% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 58th of 66.
| Household income | Dewey County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.2% | +14.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.6% | -5.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -5.4 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 33.0% of Dewey County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. None of these numbers decides a Dewey County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Housing costs in Dewey County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $692 in Dewey County versus $946 statewide. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. With a median value of $69,600, a typical Dewey County house costs 1.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 61%. Median construction year: 1978.
| Home costs | Dewey County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $692/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $69,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 61% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 11% | n/a |
The Dewey County job picture
The biggest employer of Dewey County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 32% of workers, followed by agriculture, forestry and mining (14%). Compared with South Dakota, the county leans toward public administration (13% against 5%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 13.9% in Dewey County. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home.
| Where residents work | Dewey County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 31.7% | +6.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.9% | +7.6 pts |
| Public administration | 13.5% | +8.6 pts |
| Construction | 10.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 5.3% | -6.3 pts |
| Other services | 4.6% | 0.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Dewey County's, from 41 to 51 miles away. Stanley County leads the group on income ($87,712), Corson County trails ($46,406), and Dewey County out-earns 2 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dewey County | - | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Corson County, SD | 41 mi | $46,406 | $496/mo | 59% |
| Ziebach County, SD | 42 mi | $53,958 | $734/mo | 57% |
| Potter County, SD | 43 mi | $72,045 | $1,008/mo | 82% |
| Walworth County, SD | 44 mi | $65,026 | $926/mo | 76% |
| Sully County, SD | 45 mi | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Stanley County, SD | 51 mi | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
The communities that make up Dewey County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Dewey County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 2,992 people, so roughly 43% of residents live outside any named place. No Dewey County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Eagle Butte | CDP | 1,481 | $34,358 | $727 | 21 mi |
| Timber Lake | city | 779 | $60,694 | $546 | 23 mi |
| La Plant | CDP | 240 | $18,654 | $463 | 10 mi |
| Isabel | town | 214 | $68,750 | $818 | 33 mi |
| Whitehorse | CDP | 162 | $59,250 | $616 | 9 mi |
| Green Grass | CDP | 78 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
| Swift Bird | CDP | 35 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
| Lantry | CDP | 3 | n/a | n/a | 30 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Dewey County households compared
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 21.2%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Indicator | Dewey County | All of South Dakota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 27.7 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.8% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.3% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 21.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 11.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.5% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 33.0% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 13.9% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Dewey County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 67.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 10.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 9.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.1% |
| 60+ min | 6.3% |
What the numbers mean for Dewey County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Dewey County borrowers.
- Medical bills. 21% of Dewey County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Mobile home upkeep. 14% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 33% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Dewey County loan.
Budget math at the Dewey County median
Dewey County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,509 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $692 uses 15%
- 40% debt-to-income limit: $1,111 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Dewey County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Dewey County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Verify the South Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Dewey County, check the South Dakota Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Dewey County earn?
The median is $54,104; 24% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Dewey County?
$692 a month at the median, about 15% of median household income.
I live in a small Dewey County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers North Eagle Butte, Timber Lake, La Plant, Isabel, Whitehorse and 3 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Dewey County or elsewhere in South Dakota, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Dewey County?
Start with the South Dakota Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.