1st Advantage MortgageIn Stanley County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $87,712 a year and the typical rent is $952. 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
- Stanley County at a glance
- What Stanley County households earn
- Housing costs in Stanley County
- The Stanley County job picture
- How Stanley County compares with nearby counties
- Stanley County towns compared
- Debt-to-income at Stanley County's medians
- Who lives in Stanley County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Stanley County
- Licensing and complaints for Stanley County
- Checklist for Stanley County applicants
- More guides for Stanley County
- Frequently asked questions
Stanley County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Stanley County's population at 3,015; only 46 of South Dakota's 66 county-level areas are larger. It covers 1,444 square miles of land, or about 2 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Stanley County is not part of any metropolitan area. Fort Pierre, with about 2,410 people, is the only Census place mainly inside the county. With so few households sampled, Stanley County estimates can move a lot between releases.
What Stanley County households earn
Half of Stanley County households take in less than $87,712 a year and half take in more, 17% above the South Dakota median of $75,081. In the state ranking that is 3rd of 66.
| Households earning | Stanley County | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -0.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.4% | -5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 36.4% | +9.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -3.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 41% of Stanley County households make $100,000 or more, and 21% make less than $35,000. Census counts 5.1% of Stanley County residents in poverty, against 11.9% across South Dakota. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.380 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Stanley County
A typical Stanley County rental runs $952 a month including utilities. By the Census definition, 46% of Stanley County renters are cost-burdened. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $203,500, about 2.3 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 83%.
| Stanley County | South Dakota | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $952/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $203,500 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 26% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 19.6% | 7.2% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Stanley 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.
The Stanley County job picture
Public administration employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 15%. Public administration stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 5% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 0.5% in Stanley County. Long commutes are the exception here: 6% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Stanley County share | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Public administration | 23.7% | +18.8 pts |
| Construction | 14.9% | +7.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 14.1% | -10.8 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 10.6% | +4.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.5% | -3.1 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.7% | +0.4 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How Stanley County compares with nearby counties
Distances run center to center, from Jones County at 32 miles out to Lyman County at 57. Income ranges from $54,104 in Dewey County to $81,395 in Hughes County; none of these neighbors top Stanley County's median.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stanley County | - | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
| Jones County, SD | 32 mi | $65,119 | $543/mo | 76% |
| Sully County, SD | 37 mi | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Hughes County, SD | 38 mi | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Haakon County, SD | 40 mi | $65,625 | $584/mo | 79% |
| Dewey County, SD | 51 mi | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Lyman County, SD | 57 mi | $67,143 | $651/mo | 70% |
Stanley County towns compared
Fort Pierre is the only Census place mainly inside Stanley County, with about 2,410 of the county's 3,015 residents. This guide covers each of the 1 places and the rural areas around them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fort Pierre | city | 2,410 | $70,357 | $913 | 18 mi |
Debt-to-income at Stanley County's medians
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Stanley County's medians:
- Start: $7,309 gross per month ($87,712 / 12)
- Housing at the median rent of $952 uses 13%
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,972 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Stanley County's.
Who lives in Stanley County, in numbers
College graduates make up 28% of the adult population. About 3% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Stanley County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 28.2% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.5% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.4% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.6% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.6% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.1% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 0.5% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 50.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 11.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 1.0% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
Before borrowing in Stanley County
What the Stanley County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Mobile home upkeep. 20% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Consolidation math. With 41% at six figures, card consolidation is common; it pays only if total cost falls (guide).
- 46% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Licensing and complaints for Stanley County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Stanley County resident can confirm its license with the South Dakota Division of Banking. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the South Dakota state guide for the statewide picture.
Checklist for Stanley County applicants
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Dakota borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Stanley County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Is Stanley County a high-income county?
Its $87,712 median ranks 3rd of 66 South Dakota counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Stanley County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $952 against $946 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Fort Pierre?
Yes, along with the other 0 Census places in Stanley County.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Stanley County or elsewhere in South Dakota, the same rules apply.
Who regulates personal lenders for Stanley 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.