1st Advantage MortgageHughes County households have a median income of $81,395 and median rent of $990 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
- Hughes County at a glance
- The Hughes County job picture
- Income in Hughes County compared with South Dakota
- What it costs to live in Hughes County
- Regional comparison for Hughes County
- The communities that make up Hughes County
- Who lives in Hughes County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Hughes County
- Debt-to-income at Hughes County's medians
- Lender oversight for Hughes County
- A Hughes County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hughes County at a glance
With an estimated 17,664 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Hughes County ranks 12th of 66 in South Dakota for population. It covers 742 square miles of land, or about 24 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hughes County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Hughes County, Pierre leads by population with about 13,948; 3 of the 4 are incorporated.
The Hughes County job picture
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Hughes County residents work in public administration and 22% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 23% locally and 5% for South Dakota. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 1.0% in Hughes County. Long commutes are the exception here: 7% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. 7.8% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Hughes County | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 22.9% | +18.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 22.3% | -2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | +0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | -1.0 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Hughes County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Income in Hughes County compared with South Dakota
At $81,395, the typical Hughes County household income is 24% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 9 South Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Hughes County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.7% | -1.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.6% | -0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.9% | +1.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.8% | +0.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 38% of Hughes County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 9.2%, 3 points lower than the state's 11.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.420 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Hughes County median.
What it costs to live in Hughes County
Renters in Hughes County pay a median of $990 a month, 5% above the South Dakota figure of $946. 36% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 13% spend half or more. Home values center on $242,000, or 3.0 years of median income. Owners occupy 72% of homes.
| Cost | Hughes County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $990/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $242,000 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 9% | 11% | n/a |
Regional comparison for Hughes County
Six nearby counties, 25 to 46 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 1 of the six report a higher median household income than Hughes County; Stanley County is highest at $87,712 and Buffalo County lowest at $47,045.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hughes County | - | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Sully County, SD | 25 mi | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Hyde County, SD | 27 mi | $73,472 | $836/mo | 83% |
| Lyman County, SD | 34 mi | $67,143 | $651/mo | 70% |
| Stanley County, SD | 38 mi | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
| Buffalo County, SD | 45 mi | $47,045 | $540/mo | 53% |
| Potter County, SD | 46 mi | $72,045 | $1,008/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Hughes County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 83% of Hughes County residents live in one of the 4. None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pierre | city | 13,948 | $77,672 | $983 | 17 mi |
| Oahe Acres | CDP | 399 | $78,750 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Blunt | city | 216 | $65,208 | $900 | 9 mi |
| Harrold | town | 72 | $58,750 | $550 | 15 mi |
Who lives in Hughes County, in numbers
Degree holders: 39% of adults over 25. 6.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Hughes County | South Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.0% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.3% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.8% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.7% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 9.2% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.0% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Hughes County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 72.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 16.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for Hughes County
A few patterns in the Hughes County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 13% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Consolidating cards in Hughes County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Fraud. Gift cards, wire transfers or fees to unlock a loan mean walk away (report it).
Debt-to-income at Hughes County's medians
How much room does a median Hughes 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: $6,783 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $990, takes 15% of that
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,384 a month
- Under a 45% cap, $3,052 total minus rent leaves $2,062
Two-income households and single earners in Hughes County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Lender oversight for Hughes County
Hughes County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the South Dakota Division of Banking. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on South Dakota: South Dakota personal loans.
A Hughes County borrower's checklist
Quick steps for Hughes County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Hughes County.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Dakota.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Hughes County household make?
About $81,395 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 8% above the South Dakota median.
Is Hughes County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $990 against $946 statewide, and 36% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Hughes County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 72% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
I live in a small Hughes County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Pierre, Oahe Acres, Blunt, Harrold.
Does living in Hughes County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Hughes County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.