In Hyde County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $73,472 a year and the typical rent is $836. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Hyde County, SD: the basics
- Income in Hyde County compared with South Dakota
- Renting and owning in Hyde County
- Work, industries and travel time in Hyde County
- Regional comparison for Hyde County
- Places inside Hyde County
- More Hyde County figures
- What the numbers mean for Hyde County borrowers
- What a median Hyde County budget can carry
- Before you sign
- Who licenses lenders for Hyde County residents
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Hyde County, SD: the basics
Hyde County is home to about 1,191 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 64th most populous of 66 county-level areas in South Dakota. It covers 861 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Hyde County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 2 Census places inside Hyde County, Highmore leads by population with about 596; 1 of the 2 are incorporated. Because Hyde County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Hyde County compared with South Dakota
Half of Hyde County households take in less than $73,472 a year and half take in more, 2% below the South Dakota median of $75,081. Only 28 South Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Hyde County | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.1% | +1.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.8% | -4.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 33.4% | +6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -2.4 pts |
About 22% of households earn under $35,000, while 39% clear $100,000. 5.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). A household earning below the $73,472 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Renting and owning in Hyde County
Renters in Hyde County pay a median of $836 a month, 12% below the South Dakota figure of $946. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 28% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $181,600, about 2.5 times the median household income. Owners occupy 83% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1960.
| Cost | Hyde County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $836/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $181,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 28% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 23% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Hyde County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Work, industries and travel time in Hyde County
By the Census industry count, 22% of employed Hyde County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 20% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 22% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Hyde County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). About 65% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Hyde County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.9% | +15.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.5% | -4.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 17.9% | +6.3 pts |
| Information | 7.6% | +6.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.6% | +3.2 pts |
| Construction | 5.5% | -2.2 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Regional comparison for Hyde County
Distances run center to center, from Hand County at 23 miles out to Potter County at 43. Income ranges from $47,045 in Buffalo County to $81,395 in Hughes County; 2 of these neighbors top Hyde County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hyde County | - | $73,472 | $836/mo | 83% |
| Hand County, SD | 23 mi | $74,635 | $587/mo | 65% |
| Hughes County, SD | 27 mi | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Sully County, SD | 35 mi | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Buffalo County, SD | 37 mi | $47,045 | $540/mo | 53% |
| Faulk County, SD | 40 mi | $57,750 | $771/mo | 80% |
| Potter County, SD | 43 mi | $72,045 | $1,008/mo | 82% |
Places inside Hyde County
Here are the 2 most populous of the county's 2 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 51% of Hyde County residents live in one of the 2. None of the 2 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Highmore | city | 596 | $103,017 | $980 | 2 mi |
| Stephan | CDP | 13 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
More Hyde County figures
Degree holders: 20% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 6.1%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Measure | Hyde County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 53.7 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.3% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.0% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.1% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.0% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 20.8% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Hyde County borrowers
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Hyde County borrowers.
- Retirees. At a median age of 53.7, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Consolidating cards in Hyde County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Hyde County borrower sees (free reports).
What a median Hyde County budget can carry
How much room does a median Hyde County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $6,123 gross per month ($73,472 / 12)
- 14% goes to median rent ($836)
- $1,307: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,919: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Two-income households and single earners in Hyde County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before you sign
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Hyde County-area credit union.
- Verify the South Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Who licenses lenders for Hyde County residents
The South Dakota Division of Banking is the place to verify any lender's South Dakota license. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Hyde County earn?
The median is $73,472; 39% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Hyde County rent compare with South Dakota?
$836 locally versus $946 for the state, 12% below.
Should Hyde County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 83% of Hyde County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Hyde County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Highmore, Stephan.
Can Hyde County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Dakota county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.