1st Advantage MortgageIn Sully County, South Dakota, the typical household earns $72,578 a year and the typical rent is $842. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Sully County
- Household income in Sully County
- Work, industries and travel time in Sully County
- Housing costs in Sully County
- Counties near Sully County
- Places inside Sully County
- A Sully County household budget, worked through
- What the numbers mean for Sully County borrowers
- More Sully County figures
- Four steps for Sully County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
- More guides for Sully County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Sully County
With an estimated 1,526 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Sully County ranks 63rd of 66 in South Dakota for population. Land area is 1,007 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 2 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Sully 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 Onida, with about 644 residents, or 42% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Sully County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Household income in Sully County
Sully County households have a median income of $72,578 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 34th of 66 in South Dakota.
| Band | Sully County | Compared with South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 16.3% | -4.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.6% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.4% | +2.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.7% | -0.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 37% of Sully County households make $100,000 or more, and 16% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 6.3%, 6 points lower than the state's 11.9%. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Sully County median.
Work, industries and travel time in Sully County
By the Census industry count, 28% of employed Sully County residents work in agriculture, forestry and mining and 14% in education and health care. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 13% work from home. Households without a car make up 2.4% of the total (5.2% statewide).
| Industry | Share of Sully County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 27.9% | +21.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 13.9% | -11.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.9% | +1.5 pts |
| Public administration | 9.0% | +4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.3% | -3.2 pts |
| Construction | 6.9% | -0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Sully County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Housing costs in Sully County
A typical Sully County rental runs $842 a month including utilities, which is 11% below South Dakota. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 33% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $205,400, about 2.8 times the median household income. 73% of Sully County households own their home and 27% rent. The median home was built in 1979, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Cost | Sully County | South Dakota figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $842/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $205,400 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 16.0% | 7.2% | n/a |
Because most Sully County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Counties near Sully County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Sully County's, from 24 to 49 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Sully County; Stanley County is highest at $87,712 and Dewey County lowest at $54,104.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sully County | - | $72,578 | $842/mo | 73% |
| Potter County, SD | 24 mi | $72,045 | $1,008/mo | 82% |
| Hughes County, SD | 25 mi | $81,395 | $990/mo | 72% |
| Hyde County, SD | 35 mi | $73,472 | $836/mo | 83% |
| Stanley County, SD | 37 mi | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
| Dewey County, SD | 45 mi | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Walworth County, SD | 49 mi | $65,026 | $926/mo | 76% |
Places inside Sully County
3 Census places fall mainly inside Sully County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 794 residents, leaving about 48% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Sully County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Onida | city | 644 | $70,000 | $939 | 3 mi |
| Agar | town | 81 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Cow Creek | CDP | 69 | $112,778 | n/a | 20 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
A Sully County household budget, worked through
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Sully County's medians:
- $72,578 a year is $6,048 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $842 uses 14%
- Under a 35% cap, $2,117 total minus rent leaves $1,275
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,880 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
What the numbers mean for Sully County borrowers
A few patterns in the Sully County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 16% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- Retirees. At a median age of 46.9, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
More Sully County figures
Degree holders: 24% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Sully County | All of South Dakota | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 46.9 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.1% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 3.9% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.6% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 13.4% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 6.3% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
Four steps for Sully County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Sully County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Sully County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Dakota borrowers.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Checking a lender's license in South Dakota
Sully County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the South Dakota Division of Banking. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
More guides for Sully County
The South Dakota guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Sully County?
$72,578 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $75,081 for South Dakota. It ranks 34th of 66 in the state.
How much is rent in Sully County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $842 a month; 33% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Sully County?
By population: Onida, Agar, Cow Creek. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Can Sully 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.
Is there a Sully County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In South Dakota it is the South Dakota Division of Banking.