Wealth Index
Less wealthy than 88% 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 | Dewey County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $57,683 | $72,558 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $45,122 | $55,073 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 5.3% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 5.2% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Dewey County is about 21% lower than in South Dakota. Income has been growing faster in Dewey County (5.3%/yr) than in South Dakota (4.8%/yr).
About 5% of adults in Dewey County earn six figures ($100,000 or more) a year, lower than the South Dakota average of 9%.
Median Household Income 2009–2023 Trend
Median Household Income Over Time
Median household income in Dewey County, South Dakota grew by 61.0% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $57,683 in 2023. That's an average of about 5.3% per year.
Economic Inequality in Dewey County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Dewey County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.590 | 0.512 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $49,758 | $61,155 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $41,348 | $48,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | 16.9% | 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 Dewey County, it is 0.590, higher than South Dakota's 0.512, so income is less evenly distributed here than there, and higher than the US's 0.570, so income is less evenly distributed here than there.
Men's income is about 20% more than women's income in Dewey County, South Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 20% wage gap accumulates to roughly $294,350 in unearned income for female workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dewey County, South Dakota has widened from about 11% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,693 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Dewey County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 14.5% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 14.5% | 9.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 15 | 22 |
Approximately 333 people are unemployed in Dewey County, South Dakota.
The average commute time in Dewey County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 15 minutes in South Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Dewey County, South Dakota has fallen from 20.0% to 14.5% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Dewey County, South Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of D, making it somewhat worse than South Dakota, and somewhat worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Dewey County, South Dakota.
How Rich Is Dewey County, South Dakota?
Dewey County has a wealth index grade of D. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; a D grade means residents are somewhat worse off than the U.S. average. The median household income is $57,683, about 21% lower than the South Dakota average of $72,558.
What is the current median household income in Dewey County, South Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Dewey County, South Dakota is $57,683.
What was the median household income in Dewey County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Dewey County, South Dakota was $57,683.
What was the median household income in Dewey County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Dewey County, South Dakota was $45,809.
What is the Gini coefficient in Dewey County, South Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Dewey County is 0.590. It measures income inequality on a scale from 0 (everyone earns the same) to 1 (one household earns everything). That is higher than the US average of 0.570, so income is distributed less equally than in the country overall.
How has the income gap between men and women changed in Dewey County, South Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Dewey County, South Dakota has widened from about 11% to 17% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has widened by $4,693 since 2009.