1st Advantage MortgageLyman County households have a median income of $67,143 and median rent of $651 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
- Getting oriented in Lyman County
- Lyman County housing compared with South Dakota
- Paychecks and income spread in Lyman County
- Work, industries and travel time in Lyman County
- Lyman County and the counties next door
- Places inside Lyman County
- A Lyman County household budget, worked through
- Borrowing situations common in Lyman County
- Lyman County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Checklist for Lyman County applicants
- South Dakota rules that apply in Lyman County
- More guides for Lyman County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Lyman County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Lyman County's population at 3,724; only 42 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,642 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 2 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Lyman County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Lyman County, Lower Brule leads by population with about 743; 4 of the 7 are incorporated. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Lyman County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Lyman County housing compared with South Dakota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $651 in Lyman County versus $946 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 24% of renter households here. Home values center on $165,800, or 2.5 years of median income. Owners occupy 70% of homes.
| Home costs | Lyman County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $651/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $165,800 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 23% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 24% | 11% | n/a |
Paychecks and income spread in Lyman County
At $67,143, the typical Lyman County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 42 South Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Lyman County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.4% | +6.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.5% | -3.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.0% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.2% | -1.0 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 32% clear $100,000. 23.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.505 here. For a borrower in Lyman County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Work, industries and travel time in Lyman County
Education and health care employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; agriculture, forestry and mining is next with 23%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 23% locally and 6% for South Dakota. The survey's unemployment rate for Lyman County averages 4.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Where residents work | Lyman County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.6% | -1.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 22.5% | +16.2 pts |
| Public administration | 10.0% | +5.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.9% | -1.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.9 pts |
| Construction | 7.2% | -0.5 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lyman County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Lyman County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 33 to 48 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $47,045 in Buffalo County to $81,395 in Hughes County; 3 of these neighbors top Lyman County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lyman County | - | $67,143 | $651/mo | 70% |
| Buffalo County, SD | 33 mi | $47,045 | $540/mo | 53% |
| Hughes County, SD | 34 mi | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Tripp County, SD | 38 mi | $58,987 | $820/mo | 68% |
| Brule County, SD | 39 mi | $73,720 | $835/mo | 76% |
| Jones County, SD | 42 mi | $65,119 | $543/mo | 76% |
| Hyde County, SD | 48 mi | $73,472 | $836/mo | 83% |
Places inside Lyman County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Lyman County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 2,632 residents, leaving about 29% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Lyman County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lower Brule | CDP | 743 | $28,750 | $475 | 18 mi |
| Oacoma | town | 548 | $73,333 | $883 | 25 mi |
| West Brule | CDP | 471 | $37,917 | $529 | 16 mi |
| Presho | city | 313 | $63,393 | $813 | 11 mi |
| Kennebec | town | 296 | $74,896 | n/a | 1 mi |
| Reliance | town | 211 | $55,313 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Vivian | CDP | 50 | $61,528 | n/a | 23 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
A Lyman County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Lyman County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,595 gross per month ($67,143 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $651 uses 12%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,307 left for all other debt payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,518 total minus rent leaves $1,867
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Lyman County's.
Borrowing situations common in Lyman County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Lyman County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Lyman County. For the 21% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Free help first. 24% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Lyman County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 25% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 21.3%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Measure | Lyman County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.1 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.5% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.6% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 21.3% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.7% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.2% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 23.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 55.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 26.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.1% |
| 60+ min | 2.7% |
Checklist for Lyman County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the South Dakota license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Ask a Lyman County credit union about member loans.
South Dakota rules that apply in Lyman County
Consumer lenders serving Lyman County are licensed by the state, not the county; in South Dakota that is the South Dakota Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
More guides for Lyman County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lyman County earn?
The median is $67,143; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Lyman County?
$651 a month at the median, about 12% of median household income.
Which towns does the Lyman County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 7 Census places: Lower Brule, Oacoma, West Brule, Presho, Kennebec.
Can Lyman 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.
Who regulates personal lenders for Lyman 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.