Meade County, South Dakota
Income Data
U.S. Census Bureau ACSAt a Glance
Economic Indicators
How Meade County Compares
Detailed Income Statistics
Income Advisory: Meade County
Income Verdict
Meade County has a median household income of $74,161 and per capita income of $36,301 — a gap of $37,860, suggesting a typical mix of dual-income and single-earner households.
Housing Affordability
With median gross rent at $1,150/month and a median household income of $74,161, rent consumes approximately 18.6% of monthly income — well within affordable thresholds.
Economic Context
A median household income of $74,161 suggests moderate-to-strong purchasing power, generally sufficient to cover essentials with room for discretionary spending in most markets. Per capita income of $36,301 is in line with national norms for individual earners.
Neighbor Context
Meade County earns approximately 10.8% above the South Dakota state median household income of $66,926, positioning it favorably within the state.
Data Story
About Household Income in Meade County, South Dakota
Meade County income matches national baseline
Meade County's median household income of $74,161 falls just 1% below the national median of $74,755, demonstrating near-perfect alignment with typical American earning levels. The county's per capita income of $36,301 slightly trails the national average, reflecting modest individual earning capacity.
Modest earnings above South Dakota average
Meade County's median household income of $74,161 exceeds the South Dakota state average of $66,926 by 11%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of state counties. Per capita income of $36,301 also outperforms the state average of $35,667, indicating consistent earning strength.
Meade County earns solidly in regional context
At $74,161, Meade County's median household income ranks in the middle-to-upper range of regional counties, exceeding Marshall ($72,500), Lyman ($61,169), and Mellette ($51,364). The county offers reasonable earning opportunities compared to most neighbors.
Housing costs challenge Meade County affordability
Meade County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.6% is among the highest in the region, meaning residents spend a notably larger share of earnings on housing than peers. The median home value of $274,800 may strain budgets despite respectable household income levels.
Plan carefully to build Meade County wealth
Higher housing costs in Meade County require disciplined budgeting to maximize wealth-building capacity; start by creating a detailed household budget tracking all expenses. After controlling housing costs, direct discretionary income toward emergency savings and retirement contributions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Income Comparison Calculator
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Your income is above the Meade County median
County median: $74,161 per year
vs. County Median
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vs. State Average
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vs. National Median
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Income Adequacy
Your monthly income ($6,180) vs. median rent ($1,150/mo). A ratio of 3.3x or higher means rent is under 30% of income.
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Compare RatesData: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023) — Informational only. Not financial or legal advice.