South Dakota Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 66 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in South Dakota? See your options under South Dakota law →
South Dakota ranks #50 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does South Dakota Compare to the National Average?
South Dakota is above the national average on 0 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.1% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 3.6%, and total debt per capita at $52,270.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in South Dakota has risen 2.8pp and total household debt has grown 21.4%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: South Dakota
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, South Dakota has held at the 50th-most distressed jurisdiction, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 12.1 to 10.1 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. South Dakota's State Distress Index of 9.4 (exceptionally low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
South Dakota vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)South Dakota vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to South Dakota (#50) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| South Dakota | 9.4 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
| Vermont | 17.2 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Hampshire | 15.6 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| North Dakota | 8.7 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 6.3% | 9.1% | +2.8pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.4% | 3.6% | +0.2pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.66% | 0.79% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $43,050 | $52,270 | +21.4% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,970 | $3,530 | +18.9% | $4,350 |
South Dakota Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. South Dakota primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
South Dakota has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale under SDCL § 21-48-1 et seq. — available when the mortgage contains a power of sale clause, which is standard in modern residential mortgages; and (2) judicial for…
Full South Dakota foreclosure law guide →Unlimited Homestead, but Delinquency Tells the Story
South Dakota's unlimited homestead exemption protects home equity from most creditors — one of the strongest protections in the country. But homestead protection doesn't prevent households from falling behind. Credit card delinquency of 9.1% sits below the national 12.4%, and the state's Distress Index reads 9.4 (exceptionally low state distress). The exemption helps in bankruptcy — it doesn't stop the path there.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in South Dakota on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. South Dakota's 66 counties average 23.4 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota County | 67.1 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Todd County | 63.0 | moderate-high county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Dewey County | 55.3 | moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| Fall River County | 46.8 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Buffalo County | 46.1 | moderate-low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Oglala Lakota County ranks #669 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamlin County | 7.6 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Hanson County | 9.4 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Hand County | 9.4 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Hutchinson County | 10.0 | very low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Lincoln County | 10.2 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
The gap between South Dakota's most and least distressed counties is 59.5 points — Oglala Lakota County (67.1, moderate-high county distress) vs. Hamlin County (7.6, exceptionally low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 66 South Dakota counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in South Dakota
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 431 mortgage complaints from South Dakota since 2012 — 46.9 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. South Dakota ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 26 | 25 | 24 | 29 | 27 | 26 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: South Dakota
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. South Dakota's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: South Dakota
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 9.0% of South Dakota residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 11.5% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 30.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: South Dakota
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: South Dakota
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. South Dakota scores 30.4 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #46 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in South Dakota?
The credit card delinquency rate in South Dakota is 9.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #47 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.3% in 2019.
How does South Dakota's household debt compare to the national average?
South Dakota residents carry $52,270 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 21.4% since 2019. South Dakota ranks #34 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in South Dakota?
Auto loan delinquency in South Dakota stands at 3.6% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #35 nationally. The rate has risen from 3.4% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does South Dakota use?
South Dakota primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full South Dakota foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is South Dakota above or below the national average for financial distress?
South Dakota scores 9.4 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), ranking #50 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 40.6 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in South Dakota?
The CFPB has received 431 mortgage complaints from South Dakota since 2012, a rate of 46.9 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 99.1% of South Dakota complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in South Dakota?
South Dakota had 669 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 72.8 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #46 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 75.5% and Chapter 13 for 23.6%. Filings changed +3.2% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in South Dakota have debt in collections?
9.0% of individuals in South Dakota have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #45 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 11.5% of South Dakota residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in South Dakota?
69,890 residents of South Dakota receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 7.6% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #38 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -7.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 8.5%.
How strong is South Dakota's financial safety net?
South Dakota scores 30.4 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #46 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (12.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (7.6%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which South Dakota counties have the highest financial distress?
Oglala Lakota County is the most distressed county in South Dakota with a County Distress Index score of 67.1 · moderate-high county distress, ranking #669 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Todd County (63.0 · moderate-high county distress), Dewey County (55.3 · moderate county distress), Fall River County (46.8 · moderate-low county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Hamlin County is the least distressed at 7.6 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 66 counties at /counties/south-dakota/.
How long can foreclosure take in South Dakota?
South Dakota uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: No separate statutory cure period for non-judicial foreclosure. You can cure the…. The homestead exemption is Unlimited value. Full details at /help/foreclosure/south-dakota/.
Where does South Dakota rank for financial distress?
South Dakota scores 9.4 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), ranking #50 of 51 jurisdictions. Most metrics fall below national averages. The highest SDI domain is Delinquency. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #46 (Weak).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
South Dakota Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.