Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 74% of counties in South Dakota
The wealth index reflects the overall economic prosperity and financial well-being of a county's residents based on income levels, employment rates, and income inequality metrics.
Income Statistics Overview
| Metric | Butte County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $67,135 | $72,558 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $54,645 | $55,073 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 6.4% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 9.2% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Butte County is about 7% lower than in South Dakota. Income has been growing faster in Butte County (6.4%/yr) than in South Dakota (4.8%/yr).
About 9% of adults in Butte County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, about the same as the South Dakota average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Butte County, South Dakota grew by 85.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $67,135 in 2023. That's an average of about 6.4% per year.
Economic Inequality in Butte County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Butte County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.512 | 0.512 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $67,630 | $61,155 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,514 | $48,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 38.6% | 20.3% | 19.1% |
The Gini coefficient measures how evenly income is shared between richer and poorer households, from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns nearly everything). The lower the number, the more equally income is distributed. In Butte County, it is 0.512, about the same as South Dakota's 0.512, so income here is about as evenly distributed as there, and lower than the US's 0.570, so income is more evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 63% more than women's income in Butte County, South Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 63% wage gap accumulates to roughly $914,060 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Butte County, South Dakota has widened from about 36% to 39% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,140 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Butte County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 4.1% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 9.0% | 9.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 17 | 15 | 22 |
Approximately 230 people are unemployed in Butte County, South Dakota.
The average commute time in Butte County is 17 minutes, longer than the 15 minutes in South Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Butte County, South Dakota has fallen from 4.7% to 4.1% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Butte County, South Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of C, making it about on par with South Dakota, and about on par with the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Butte County, South Dakota.
How Rich Is Butte County, South Dakota?
Butte County has a wealth index grade of C. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a C grade means residents are close to the U.S. average. The median household income is $67,135, about 7% lower than the South Dakota average of $72,558.
What is the current median household income in Butte County, South Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Butte County, South Dakota is $67,135.
What was the median household income in Butte County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Butte County, South Dakota was $67,135.
What was the median household income in Butte County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Butte County, South Dakota was $49,038.
What is the Gini coefficient in Butte County, South Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Butte County is 0.512. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is lower than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed more equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Butte County, South Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Butte County, South Dakota has widened from about 36% to 39% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $12,140 since 2009.