1st Advantage MortgageAbout 76% of Jones County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $65,119. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's South Dakota license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Jones County
- How Jones County residents earn a living
- How much Jones County households make
- Housing costs in Jones County
- Places inside Jones County
- How Jones County compares with nearby counties
- Room for a loan payment in Jones County
- Local borrowing considerations for Jones County
- Who lives in Jones County, in numbers
- Who licenses lenders for Jones County residents
- Checklist for Jones County applicants
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Jones County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Jones County's population at 1,004; only 65 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 970 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jones County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Jones County, Murdo leads by population with about 599; 2 of the 3 are incorporated. Because Jones County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
How Jones County residents earn a living
Education and health care employs 22% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 18%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 18% locally and 6% for South Dakota. The survey's unemployment rate for Jones County averages 2.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). About 66% drive to work alone and 10% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 4.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Jones County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | -2.6 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 18.3% | +11.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 15.2% | +6.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 13.9% | +9.6 pts |
| Construction | 8.0% | +0.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.1% | -5.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How much Jones County households make
Half of Jones County households take in less than $65,119 a year and half take in more, 13% below the South Dakota median of $75,081.
| Households earning | Jones County | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | +3.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.7% | +1.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.3% | -3.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.7% | -1.4 pts |
About 24% of households earn under $35,000, while 31% clear $100,000. Census counts 18.3% of Jones County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Jones County median.
Housing costs in Jones County
A typical Jones County rental runs $543 a month including utilities, which is 43% below South Dakota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 4% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $139,600, about 2.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. Median construction year: 1973.
| Home costs | Jones County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $543/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $139,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 4% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 41% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 11% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Jones 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.
Places inside Jones County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Jones County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 619 people, so roughly 38% of residents live outside any named place. This guide covers each of the 3 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Murdo | city | 599 | $67,045 | $534 | 5 mi |
| Draper | town | 20 | $66,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Okaton | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
How Jones County compares with nearby counties
Mellette County is closest, 26 miles from center to center; the sixth, Jackson County, is 51 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Jones County; Stanley County is highest at $87,712 and Jackson County lowest at $35,417.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jones County | - | $65,119 | $543/mo | 76% |
| Mellette County, SD | 26 mi | $54,076 | $708/mo | 60% |
| Stanley County, SD | 32 mi | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
| Lyman County, SD | 42 mi | $67,143 | $651/mo | 70% |
| Hughes County, SD | 46 mi | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Haakon County, SD | 48 mi | $65,625 | $584/mo | 79% |
| Jackson County, SD | 51 mi | $35,417 | $442/mo | 67% |
Room for a loan payment in Jones County
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Jones County's medians:
- Monthly gross at the median, Jones County: $5,427
- 10% goes to median rent ($543)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $1,411 left for all other debt payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,790 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Local borrowing considerations for Jones County
What the Jones County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Manufactured homes. 29% of Jones County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 18% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Who lives in Jones County, in numbers
College graduates make up 27% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 8.7%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| People and households | Jones County | South Dakota | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.4% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.8% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 12.7% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.3% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.1% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
Who licenses lenders for Jones County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Jones County borrowers answers to the South Dakota Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
Checklist for Jones County applicants
A short checklist for Jones County borrowers:
- Price the Jones County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Jones County credit union about member loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jones County earn?
The median is $65,119; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 24% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Jones County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $543 a month; 4% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Murdo?
Yes, along with the other 2 Census places in Jones County, such as Draper, Okaton.
Does living in Jones 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 Jones County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Jones County check a lender's license?
With the South Dakota Division of Banking. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.