1st Advantage MortgageMcPherson County households have a median income of $66,906 and median rent of $594 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
- A quick profile of McPherson County
- The McPherson County job picture
- Paychecks and income spread in McPherson County
- What it costs to live in McPherson County
- Places inside McPherson County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- People and households in McPherson County
- Local borrowing considerations for McPherson County
- A McPherson County household budget, worked through
- Who licenses lenders for McPherson County residents
- Four steps for McPherson County borrowers
- More guides for McPherson County
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of McPherson County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts McPherson County's population at 2,145; only 55 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 1,137 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. No metropolitan area includes McPherson County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (5 incorporated, 3 census-designated); the largest is Eureka, with about 778 residents, or 36% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every McPherson County figure on this page as a rough guide.
The McPherson County job picture
By the Census industry count, 26% of employed McPherson County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 25% in education and health care. Compared with South Dakota, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (26% against 6%). The survey's unemployment rate for McPherson County averages 1.1% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). Long commutes are the exception here: 14% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of McPherson County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 26.2% | +19.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 24.6% | -0.4 pts |
| Other services | 10.0% | +5.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.6% | -3.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 4.7% | -2.4 pts |
| Wholesale trade | 4.5% | +2.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in McPherson County
At $66,906, the typical McPherson County household income is 2% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | McPherson County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.0% | +3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.8% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.2% | -4.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.0% | -0.2 pts |
Some 24% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 31% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 12.9% of McPherson County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.526 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the McPherson County median.
What it costs to live in McPherson County
A typical McPherson County rental runs $594 a month including utilities, which is 37% below South Dakota. 24% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 4% spend half or more. With a median value of $85,600, a typical McPherson County house costs 1.3 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 81%. The median home was built in 1962, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $594/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $85,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 81% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 24% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 5.6% | 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).
Places inside McPherson County
8 Census places fall mainly inside McPherson County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 1,404 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these McPherson County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eureka | city | 778 | $47,583 | $557 | 20 mi |
| Leola | city | 381 | $71,250 | $843 | 14 mi |
| Spring Creek Colony | CDP | 209 | n/a | n/a | 18 mi |
| Grassland Colony | CDP | 15 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
| Long Lake | town | 14 | $61,042 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Wetonka | town | 7 | n/a | n/a | 24 mi |
| Hillsview | town | 0 | n/a | n/a | 19 mi |
| Long Lake Colony | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 22 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 24 to 47 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than McPherson County; Edmunds County is highest at $81,630 and McIntosh County lowest at $64,419. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a McPherson County resident follows South Dakota rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McPherson County | - | $66,906 | $594/mo | 81% |
| McIntosh County, ND | 24 mi | $64,419 | $608/mo | 79% |
| Edmunds County, SD | 26 mi | $81,630 | $992/mo | 81% |
| Campbell County, SD | 38 mi | $68,929 | $760/mo | 76% |
| Dickey County, ND | 41 mi | $68,654 | $840/mo | 80% |
| Brown County, SD | 44 mi | $70,898 | $777/mo | 68% |
| Walworth County, SD | 47 mi | $65,026 | $926/mo | 76% |
People and households in McPherson County
College graduates make up 26% of the adult population. About 2% go without health insurance.
| McPherson County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 50.0 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.5% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 16.6% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 1.9% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 1.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.1% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 59.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 12.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 13.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 6.6% |
| 60+ min | 7.1% |
Local borrowing considerations for McPherson County
A few patterns in the McPherson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Retirees. At a median age of 50.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a McPherson County borrower sees (free reports).
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
A McPherson County household budget, worked through
McPherson County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $5,576 a month: gross income for a household at the McPherson County median
- Housing at the median rent of $594 uses 11%
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $1,357 left for all other debt payments
- $1,915: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of McPherson County's.
Who licenses lenders for McPherson County residents
Consumer lenders serving McPherson County are licensed by the state, not the county; in South Dakota that is the South Dakota Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. The South Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for McPherson County borrowers
Quick steps for McPherson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in McPherson County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one McPherson County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for McPherson County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is McPherson County a high-income county?
Its $66,906 median ranks 45th of 66 South Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in McPherson County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $594 a month; 24% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should McPherson County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 81% of McPherson County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in McPherson County?
By population: Eureka, Leola, Spring Creek Colony, Grassland Colony, Long Lake. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Can McPherson 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.