1st Advantage MortgageHanson County households have a median income of $81,071 and median rent of $782 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Hanson County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Hanson County
- How much Hanson County households make
- Work, industries and travel time in Hanson County
- Hanson County towns compared
- The counties around Hanson County
- Room for a loan payment in Hanson County
- Local borrowing considerations for Hanson County
- More Hanson County figures
- Lender oversight for Hanson County
- A Hanson County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hanson County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Hanson County's population at 3,472; only 43 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 435 square miles, that works out to roughly 8.0 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Hanson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 8 Census places inside Hanson County, Alexandria leads by population with about 692; 4 of the 8 are incorporated. With so few households sampled, Hanson County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Rent, home values and ownership in Hanson County
Renters in Hanson County pay a median of $782 a month, 17% below the South Dakota figure of $946. 11% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 3% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $191,200, about 2.4 times the median household income. 89% of Hanson County households own their home and 11% rent. Median construction year: 1956.
| Housing | Hanson County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $782/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $191,200 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 89% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 11% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 3.2% | 7.2% | 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).
How much Hanson County households make
Half of Hanson County households take in less than $81,071 a year and half take in more, 8% above the South Dakota median of $75,081.
| Yearly household income | Hanson County | Gap to South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 15.9% | -5.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.8% | -1.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 34.9% | +7.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.4% | -0.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 42% of Hanson County households make $100,000 or more, and 16% make less than $35,000. 7.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). None of these numbers decides a Hanson County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Hanson County
By the Census industry count, 20% of employed Hanson County residents work in education and health care and 13% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.8% in Hanson County. About 76% drive to work alone and 11% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 1.5% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Top industries | Hanson County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.9% | -5.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 12.9% | +6.5 pts |
| Construction | 10.5% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.2% | +2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.2% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.1% | -3.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Hanson County towns compared
Here are the 8 most populous of the county's 8 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 42% of Hanson County residents live in one of the 8. None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | city | 692 | $102,679 | $775 | 2 mi |
| Emery | city | 539 | $67,321 | $675 | 10 mi |
| Fulton | town | 84 | $56,667 | $319 | 4 mi |
| Millbrook Colony | CDP | 47 | n/a | n/a | 4 mi |
| Oak Lane Colony | CDP | 34 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Farmer | town | 31 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Rockport Colony | CDP | 23 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Rosedale Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 5 mi |
The counties around Hanson County
Six nearby counties, 18 to 35 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 2 of the six report a higher median household income than Hanson County; Douglas County is highest at $86,442 and Davison County lowest at $66,208.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hanson County | - | $81,071 | $782/mo | 89% |
| Davison County, SD | 18 mi | $66,208 | $847/mo | 61% |
| McCook County, SD | 22 mi | $83,852 | $945/mo | 79% |
| Hutchinson County, SD | 24 mi | $73,977 | $727/mo | 77% |
| Miner County, SD | 25 mi | $76,140 | $644/mo | 85% |
| Sanborn County, SD | 28 mi | $78,750 | $725/mo | 79% |
| Douglas County, SD | 35 mi | $86,442 | $877/mo | 77% |
Room for a loan payment in Hanson County
How much room does a median Hanson County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $6,756 before taxes
- 12% goes to median rent ($782)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,583 left for all other debt payments
- $2,258: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Hanson County
Where the Hanson County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 42% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
More Hanson County figures
College graduates make up 23% of the adult population. 9.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Hanson County | South Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 22.5% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.8% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 7.0% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.8% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 36.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.9% |
| 60+ min | 4.3% |
Lender oversight for Hanson County
The South Dakota Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's South Dakota license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The South Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
A Hanson County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Hanson County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Dakota borrowers.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Related local guides
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Hanson County household make?
About $81,071 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 8% above the South Dakota median.
What do renters pay in Hanson County?
$782 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Which towns does the Hanson County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Alexandria, Emery, Fulton, Millbrook Colony, Oak Lane Colony.
Will a Hanson 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Hanson 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.