1st Advantage MortgageIn Fall River County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $67,917 a year and the typical rent is $931. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Fall River County at a glance
- Paychecks and income spread in Fall River County
- Work, industries and travel time in Fall River County
- What it costs to live in Fall River County
- Fall River County and the counties next door
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Fall River County
- Budget math at the Fall River County median
- Fall River County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Fall River County
- South Dakota rules that apply in Fall River County
- A Fall River County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Fall River County
- Frequently asked questions
Fall River County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Fall River County's population at 7,258; only 24 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 1,740 square miles of land, or about 4 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Fall River County is not part of any metropolitan area. Hot Springs is the biggest of its 10 Census places, at roughly 3,548 people (49% of the county total). Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Fall River County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Paychecks and income spread in Fall River County
Half of Fall River County households take in less than $67,917 a year and half take in more, 10% below the South Dakota median of $75,081. That places it 41st among South Dakota's 66 county-level areas.
| Household income | Fall River County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.8% | +5.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | 0.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.0% | -1.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.6% | -4.6 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 16.6% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.421 (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.
Work, industries and travel time in Fall River County
Education and health care employs 26% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 13%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 13% locally and 6% for South Dakota. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.5% in Fall River County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 10% work from home.
| Top industries | Fall River County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 26.1% | +1.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 13.4% | +7.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.3% | +2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.6% | -1.9 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +1.7 pts |
| Other services | 8.1% | +3.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
What it costs to live in Fall River County
A typical Fall River County rental runs $931 a month including utilities, which is 2% below South Dakota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. With a median value of $193,200, a typical Fall River County house costs 2.8 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 72% of homes. Median construction year: 1972.
| Fall River County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $931/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $193,200 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 13.7% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 11% | 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).
Fall River County and the counties next door
Distances run center to center, from Custer County at 32 miles out to Pennington County at 64. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Fall River County; Custer County is highest at $84,112 and Oglala Lakota County lowest at $41,417. The list crosses into Nebraska, Wyoming, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall River County | - | $67,917 | $931/mo | 72% |
| Custer County, SD | 32 mi | $84,112 | $1,112/mo | 86% |
| Dawes County, NE | 40 mi | $56,280 | $900/mo | 62% |
| Oglala Lakota County, SD | 48 mi | $41,417 | $584/mo | 51% |
| Niobrara County, WY | 49 mi | $64,113 | $605/mo | 62% |
| Sioux County, NE | 53 mi | $53,929 | $745/mo | 60% |
| Pennington County, SD | 64 mi | $74,517 | $1,120/mo | 69% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Fall River County
10 Census places fall mainly inside Fall River County; the 10 biggest are below. They account for 4,966 residents, leaving about 32% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Fall River County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hot Springs | city | 3,548 | $66,338 | $897 | 14 mi |
| Edgemont | city | 860 | $62,692 | $1,011 | 17 mi |
| Oelrichs | town | 198 | $73,523 | $977 | 14 mi |
| Angostura | CDP | 144 | $104,688 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Maverick Junction | CDP | 123 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
| Oral | CDP | 55 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Smithwick | CDP | 25 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Dudley | CDP | 8 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Ardmore | CDP | 5 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Provo | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Budget math at the Fall River County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Fall River County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,660 gross per month ($67,917 / 12)
- 16% goes to median rent ($931)
- $1,503: 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 Fall River County's.
Fall River County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 29% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 13.2%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Residents | Fall River County | South Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 55.3 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.4% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.8% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.2% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.7% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.6% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.5% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 63.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Fall River County
What the Fall River County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 14% of Fall River County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Retirees. At a median age of 55.3, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
South Dakota rules that apply in Fall River County
Fall River County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the South Dakota Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
A Fall River County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Fall River County residents:
- Price the Fall River County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A South Dakota license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
More guides for Fall River County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Fall River County earn?
The median is $67,917; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Fall River County rent compare with South Dakota?
$931 locally versus $946 for the state, 2% below.
Does this page cover Hot Springs?
Yes, along with the other 9 Census places in Fall River County, such as Edgemont, Oelrichs, Angostura.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Fall River County or elsewhere in South Dakota, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Fall River 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.