Wealth Index
Least wealthy county 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 | Oglala Lakota County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $34,751 | $72,558 | $78,145 |
| Median Personal Income | $40,534 | $55,073 | $61,726 |
| Average income growth | 3.9% | 4.8% | 5.1% |
| Six-Figure Earners | 1.5% | 9.3% | 13.2% |
The median household income in Oglala Lakota County is about 52% lower than in South Dakota. Income has been growing slower in Oglala Lakota County (3.9%/yr) than in South Dakota (4.8%/yr).
About 1% of adults in Oglala Lakota 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 Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota grew by 19.2% from 2009 to 2023, reaching $34,751 in 2023. That's an average of about 3.9% per year.
Economic Inequality in Oglala Lakota County | Gender Pay Gap | Gini Coefficient
| Metric | Oglala Lakota County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gini Coefficient | 0.672 | 0.512 | 0.570 |
| Male Median Income | $35,489 | $61,155 | $67,746 |
| Female Median Income | $43,574 | $48,763 | $54,793 |
| Gender Pay Gap | -22.8% | 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 Oglala Lakota County, it is 0.672, 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.
Women's income is about 23% more than men's income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota. Over a 35-year career, a 23% wage gap accumulates to roughly $282,975 in unearned income for male workers in the area.
Income by Sex Over Time
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota has widened from about -11% to -23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,074 since 2009.
Employment
| Metric | Oglala Lakota County | South Dakota Avg | US Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unemployment Rate | 12.8% | 3.0% | 5.2% |
| Working from Home | 2.3% | 9.3% | 13.4% |
| Commute time (minutes) | 12 | 15 | 22 |
Approximately 461 people are unemployed in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota.
The average commute time in Oglala Lakota County is 12 minutes, shorter than the 15 minutes in South Dakota.
Unemployment Rate Over Time
Since 2011, the unemployment rate in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota has fallen from 20.0% to 12.8% in 2023.
Conclusion
Considering all these factors, Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota has an overall wealth index grade of F, making it worse than South Dakota, and worse than the country as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about income and wealth in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota.
How Wealthy Is Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota?
Oglala Lakota County has a wealth index grade of F. The wealth index grades areas from A+ (best) to F- by combining income levels, employment rates, and income inequality; an F grade means residents are well below the U.S. average. The median household income is $34,751, about 52% lower than the South Dakota average of $72,558.
What is the current median household income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota?
As of 2023, the median household income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota is $34,751.
What was the median household income in Oglala Lakota County in 2023?
In 2023, the median household income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota was $34,751.
What was the median household income in Oglala Lakota County in 2020?
In 2020, the median household income in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota was $31,753.
What is the Gini coefficient in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota?
The Gini coefficient in Oglala Lakota County is 0.672. 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 Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota?
Since 2009, the income gap between men and women in Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota has widened from about -11% to -23% in 2023. In dollar terms, the gap has narrowed by $5,074 since 2009.