1st Advantage MortgageIn Perkins County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $66,908 a year and the typical rent is $738. 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
- Perkins County by the numbers
- Employment and commuting in Perkins County
- Paychecks and income spread in Perkins County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Perkins County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Perkins County
- Perkins County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Reading the Perkins County data as a borrower
- What a median Perkins County budget can carry
- Licensing and complaints for Perkins County
- Steps before you apply in Perkins County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Perkins County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Perkins County's population at 3,001; only 47 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 2,870 square miles of land, or about 1 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Perkins County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 3 places in the county (2 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Lemmon, with about 1,208 residents, or 40% of the county. With so few households sampled, Perkins County estimates can move a lot between releases.
Employment and commuting in Perkins County
The biggest employer of Perkins County residents, by industry, is agriculture, forestry and mining at 31% of workers, followed by education and health care (20%). The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 31% locally and 6% for South Dakota. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.9% in Perkins County. 9% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 33% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Perkins County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 31.4% | +25.0 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.8% | -5.2 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.6% | -4.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 7.1% | -2.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.3% | +1.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Paychecks and income spread in Perkins County
Perkins County households have a median income of $66,908 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 44th of 66 in South Dakota.
| Household income | Perkins County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.2% | +6.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.0% | -5.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -0.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.4% | +0.3 pts |
Some 27% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 35% have six-figure incomes. 13.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.520 here. None of these numbers decides a Perkins County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Rent, home values and ownership in Perkins County
Renters in Perkins County pay a median of $738 a month, 22% below the South Dakota figure of $946. 31% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 19% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $114,600, about 1.7 times the median household income. 78% of Perkins County households own their home and 22% rent. The median home was built in 1966, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Perkins County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $738/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $114,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 78% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 31% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.9% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 25% | 11% | 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).
Neighboring counties at a glance
Adams County is closest, 43 miles from center to center; the sixth, Butte County, is 65 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Perkins County; Harding County is highest at $80,441 and Corson County lowest at $46,406. Some neighbors are in North Dakota. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Perkins County resident follows South Dakota rules.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Perkins County | - | $66,908 | $738/mo | 78% |
| Adams County, ND | 43 mi | $62,500 | $594/mo | 72% |
| Harding County, SD | 49 mi | $80,441 | $521/mo | 77% |
| Ziebach County, SD | 52 mi | $53,958 | $734/mo | 57% |
| Meade County, SD | 62 mi | $74,790 | $1,264/mo | 73% |
| Corson County, SD | 64 mi | $46,406 | $496/mo | 59% |
| Butte County, SD | 65 mi | $75,652 | $972/mo | 76% |
The communities that make up Perkins County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Perkins County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 1,634 people, so roughly 46% of residents live outside any named place. No Perkins County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lemmon | city | 1,208 | $50,147 | $672 | 35 mi |
| Bison | town | 406 | $71,607 | $932 | 3 mi |
| Prairie City | CDP | 20 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
Perkins County residents: age, schooling, coverage
25% of Perkins County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 10.7%, against 9.0% for South Dakota.
| Residents | Perkins County | South Dakota | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.0 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.9% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.1% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.7% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 32.9% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.7% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 74.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 11.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 4.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.5% |
| 60+ min | 3.9% |
Reading the Perkins County data as a borrower
Based on the Perkins County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
What a median Perkins County budget can carry
How much room does a median Perkins County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $5,576 gross per month ($66,908 / 12)
- Less median rent of $738, which is 13% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,269 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Perkins County's.
Licensing and complaints for Perkins County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Perkins County borrowers answers to the South Dakota Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The South Dakota guide covers state rules in more detail.
Steps before you apply in Perkins County
A short checklist for Perkins County borrowers:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Nearby and statewide guides
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Perkins County earn?
The median is $66,908; 35% 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 Perkins County?
$738 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I live in a small Perkins County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Lemmon, Bison, Prairie City.
Does living in Perkins 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 Perkins County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Perkins 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.