1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Spink County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $70,139. 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
- Spink County by the numbers
- Household income in Spink County
- Employment and commuting in Spink County
- Spink County housing compared with South Dakota
- Towns and communities in Spink County
- Spink County next to its neighbors
- Debt-to-income at Spink County's medians
- Reading the Spink County data as a borrower
- Spink County households compared
- South Dakota rules that apply in Spink County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Spink County
- Frequently asked questions
Spink County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Spink County's population at 6,219; only 28 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 1,503 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 4 per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Spink County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 16 Census places inside Spink County, Redfield leads by population with about 1,989; 10 of the 16 are incorporated. Because Spink County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Household income in Spink County
At $70,139, the typical Spink County household income is 7% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 38th of 66.
| Household income | Spink County | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 21.6% | +0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 45.7% | +2.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 25.2% | -2.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.5% | -0.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Spink County households make $100,000 or more, and 22% make less than $35,000. 10.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 11.9%). A household earning below the $70,139 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Spink County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Spink County residents work in education and health care and 21% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 21% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Spink County averages 1.3% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). About 66% drive to work alone and 6% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 3.3% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Where residents work | Spink County | Difference from South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.5% | -3.5 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 21.1% | +14.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.7% | -3.8 pts |
| Public administration | 7.6% | +2.7 pts |
| Other services | 6.9% | +2.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Spink County housing compared with South Dakota
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $734 in Spink County versus $946 statewide. 25% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 8% spend half or more. Home values center on $123,300, or 1.8 years of median income. Owners occupy 73% of homes. The median home was built in 1959, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Spink County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $734/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $123,300 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 25% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 7.3% | 7.2% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Spink 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.
Towns and communities in Spink County
Here are the 14 most populous of the county's 16 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 59% of Spink County residents live in one of the 16. This guide covers each of the 16 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Redfield | city | 1,989 | $58,229 | $725 | 9 mi |
| Doland | city | 209 | $64,922 | $710 | 12 mi |
| Ashton | city | 204 | $54,712 | n/a | 9 mi |
| Mellette | city | 199 | $106,964 | n/a | 18 mi |
| Tulare | town | 175 | $60,833 | $633 | 15 mi |
| Northville | town | 153 | $105,000 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Clark Colony | CDP | 139 | n/a | n/a | 20 mi |
| Conde | city | 128 | $73,571 | n/a | 20 mi |
| Frankfort | city | 128 | $68,750 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Glendale Colony | CDP | 112 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Spink Colony | CDP | 88 | n/a | n/a | 13 mi |
| Brentford | town | 83 | n/a | n/a | 16 mi |
| Turton | town | 61 | $48,750 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Mansfield | CDP | 12 | $51,250 | n/a | 25 mi |
Spink County next to its neighbors
Clark County is closest, 30 miles from center to center; the sixth, Day County, is 47 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Spink County; Hand County is highest at $74,635 and Faulk County lowest at $57,750.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spink County | - | $70,139 | $734/mo | 73% |
| Clark County, SD | 30 mi | $70,726 | $782/mo | 78% |
| Beadle County, SD | 35 mi | $67,681 | $879/mo | 73% |
| Faulk County, SD | 41 mi | $57,750 | $771/mo | 80% |
| Hand County, SD | 42 mi | $74,635 | $587/mo | 65% |
| Brown County, SD | 46 mi | $70,898 | $777/mo | 68% |
| Day County, SD | 47 mi | $66,033 | $660/mo | 75% |
Debt-to-income at Spink County's medians
Here is the Spink County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $5,845 a month: gross income for a household at the Spink County median
- Rent at the median, $734, takes 13% of that
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,779 left for all other debt payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Spink County's.
Reading the Spink County data as a borrower
Where the Spink County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Spink County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Spink County households compared
Degree holders: 28% of adults over 25. 9.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Spink County | All of South Dakota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.5 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.2% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 6.3% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.4% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.3% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 14.7% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 10.1% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 1.3% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Spink County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 57.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.3% |
South Dakota rules that apply in Spink County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Spink County, check the South Dakota Division of Banking. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Spink County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Dakota.
- Ask a Spink County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Spink County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Spink County a high-income county?
Its $70,139 median ranks 38th of 66 South Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
What do renters pay in Spink County?
$734 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
I live in a small Spink County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Redfield, Doland, Ashton, Mellette, Tulare and 11 more.
Does living in Spink 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 Spink County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Spink County?
Start with the South Dakota Division of Banking, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.