1st Advantage MortgageThe median Ziebach County household earns $53,958, and 33% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Ziebach County by the numbers
- Income in Ziebach County compared with South Dakota
- How Ziebach County residents earn a living
- Rent, home values and ownership in Ziebach County
- Towns and communities in Ziebach County
- The counties around Ziebach County
- What a median Ziebach County budget can carry
- Ziebach County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Ziebach County
- Who licenses lenders for Ziebach County residents
- Before you sign
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Ziebach County by the numbers
Roughly 2,377 residents live in Ziebach County, South Dakota, 54th by population among the state's 66 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 1,961 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 1 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 4 Census places inside Ziebach County, Eagle Butte leads by population with about 1,458; 2 of the 4 are incorporated. Because Ziebach County is small, the survey's margins of error are wide; treat the numbers as approximate.
Income in Ziebach County compared with South Dakota
Half of Ziebach County households take in less than $53,958 a year and half take in more, 28% below the South Dakota median of $75,081. Only 59 South Dakota counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Ziebach County | +/- vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.4% | +14.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.9% | -1.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 10.6% | -16.7 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 12.1% | +4.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 23% of Ziebach County households make $100,000 or more, and 35% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 33.5%, 22 points higher than the state's 11.9%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.523 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Ziebach County median.
How Ziebach County residents earn a living
By the Census industry count, 29% of employed Ziebach County residents work in education and health care and 29% in agriculture, forestry and mining. Agriculture, forestry and mining stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Ziebach County averages 23.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 2.9%). 7% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 24% work from home. Only 12.2% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Ziebach County workers | vs South Dakota |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.4% | +4.4 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 28.9% | +22.6 pts |
| Public administration | 15.9% | +10.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.4% | -2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 6.1% | -5.4 pts |
| Other services | 5.0% | +0.4 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Rent, home values and ownership in Ziebach County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $734 in Ziebach County versus $946 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 46% of renter households here. With a median value of $99,600, a typical Ziebach County house costs 1.8 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 57%. The median year built is 1987.
| Measure | Ziebach County | South Dakota | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $734/mo | $946/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $99,600 | $257,400 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 57% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 40% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 23% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.9% | 7.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 17% | 11% | n/a |
Towns and communities in Ziebach County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 97% of Ziebach County residents live in one of the 4. No Ziebach County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 4.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eagle Butte | city | 1,458 | $45,741 | $611 | 21 mi |
| Dupree | city | 557 | $53,958 | $683 | 5 mi |
| Cherry Creek | CDP | 224 | n/a | $858 | 28 mi |
| Bridger | CDP | 66 | $20,694 | n/a | 33 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
The counties around Ziebach County
Distances run center to center, from Dewey County at 42 miles out to Stanley County at 60. 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Ziebach County; Stanley County is highest at $87,712 and Corson County lowest at $46,406.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ziebach County | - | $53,958 | $734/mo | 57% |
| Dewey County, SD | 42 mi | $54,104 | $692/mo | 61% |
| Haakon County, SD | 49 mi | $65,625 | $584/mo | 79% |
| Perkins County, SD | 52 mi | $66,908 | $738/mo | 78% |
| Corson County, SD | 53 mi | $46,406 | $496/mo | 59% |
| Meade County, SD | 58 mi | $74,790 | $1,264/mo | 73% |
| Stanley County, SD | 60 mi | $87,712 | $952/mo | 83% |
What a median Ziebach County budget can carry
Here is the Ziebach County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,496 before taxes
- Median rent: $734, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- $1,065: what a 40% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Ziebach County households compared
15% of Ziebach County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 26.0% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Ziebach County | South Dakota statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7 | 38.0 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.2% | 31.9% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 10.1% | 6.8% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 26.0% | 9.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.2% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 24.4% | 9.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 33.5% | 11.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 23.5% | 2.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 35.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.4% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Ziebach County
What the Ziebach County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Health costs. With 26% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Manufactured homes. 18% of Ziebach County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Assistance before credit. With a 33% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Ziebach County loan.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Ziebach County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Who licenses lenders for Ziebach County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Ziebach County borrowers answers to the South Dakota Division of Banking. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: South Dakota guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Ziebach County:
- Price the Ziebach County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Dakota.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Dakota guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Ziebach County earn?
The median is $53,958; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 35% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Ziebach County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $734 a month; 46% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Eagle Butte?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Ziebach County, such as Dupree, Cherry Creek, Bridger.
Will a Ziebach County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming South Dakota as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Ziebach 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.