South Dakota · GEOID 46015

Brule County

2024 ACS 5-year estimates · population 5,283 · 2,367 housing units

Median household income

$73,720

State $75,136

Median home value

$216,800

State $254,348

Median gross rent

$835

State $946

Homeownership rate

76.4%

State 68.6%

Renter cost-burden rate

37.4%

≥30% of income

Owner cost-burden rate

16.3%

≥30% of income

Homeowner vacancy

0.0%

Of owner-occupied + for-sale units

Rental vacancy

18.1%

Of renter-occupied + for-rent units

Overall vacancy

17.4%

All housing units

Price-to-income ratio

2.94

Affordable: 2.0–3.0

Section 1

Community Profile

Population, demographics, household composition, and income.

Community Data Summary

	Brule County	South Dakota
Population	5,283	907,428
Population density (per sq. mi.)	6.46	—
Median household income	$73,720	$75,136
HUD Area Median Income (4-person, 100%)	$97,900	—
Households	1,955	—
Average household size	2.52 people	—
Owner-occupied	76.4%	68.6%
Renter-occupied	23.6%	31.4%
Race	82.2% White · 0.6% Black	0.0% White · 0.0% Black

Source: ACS 5-year 2024 (Tables DP05, S1101, DP04, S1901) and Census Gazetteer (land area); HUD FY2026 Income Limits.

Racial composition

Brule County compared with South Dakota.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP05.

Educational attainment (population 25+)

28.7% hold a bachelor's degree or higher (state: 31.9%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1501.

Median Household Income by Tenure

Owner-occupied vs. renter-occupied household income, county and state.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25119.

Median Household Income by Age of Householder

Median household income by age group of householder.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B19049.

Median Household Income by Number of Earners

Median household income for families with each earner count.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903.

Household Size

Distribution of households by number of people.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2501.

Income by Number of Earners

Earners	Share	Median income	Attainable monthly housing cost	Attainable home
0 earners	11.6%	$62,500	$1,563	$201,627
1 earner	29.2%	$60,403	$1,510	$193,821
2 earners	43.2%	$110,000	$2,750	$378,438
3+ earners	16.0%	$129,028	$3,226	$449,266

Attainable monthly housing cost = 30% of gross income ÷ 12. Attainable home price assumes 30% housing budget, 30-yr mortgage at 7%, 5% down.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S1903; affordability formula derived.

Households

1,955

Average size: 2.52 people

Households with children

546

27.9% of households

Per-capita income

$36,532

Poverty rate: 12.1%

Section 2

Residential Market Analysis

Housing stock characteristics — tenure, type, age, size, vacancy, rents.

Tenure

76.4% owner-occupied vs. state average 68.6%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Structure type

Single-family share 78.8% · Missing middle (2–19 units) 9.8%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25024.

Housing stock by decade

56.8% built before 1980 · Median structure age 1,971.00 yrs.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2504.

Housing size mismatch

Compares the share of housing units by bedroom count against the share of households by size — a common diagnostic of housing supply/demand alignment.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Tables B25041 (bedrooms) and S2501 (household size).

Home value distribution

Owner-occupied homes by value bracket. Median: $216,800.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table DP04.

Monthly Housing Costs

Distribution of monthly housing costs across all occupied units.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25104.

Number of Bedrooms

Housing units by number of bedrooms.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25041.

Median rent by bedroom

Overall median gross rent: $835.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25031.

Renters by age

Number of renter householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Owners by age

Number of owner householders by age bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table S2502.

Vacancy composition

All 412 vacant units split into Census's seven categories. Frictional vacancy (units actively on the market) reflects healthy churn. Structural vacancy (seasonal, migrant, other) sits outside the market for year-round residents — high values change how the headline vacancy rate should be read.

Vacant units by type

For sale 0.0% · For rent 24.8% · Seasonal 9.7% · Other 64.3%.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Frictional vs structural

26.0% of vacancy is frictional (for sale + for rent + rented/sold not yet occupied); 74.0% is structural (seasonal + migrant + other).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25004.

Seasonal / recreational share of all housing

1.7%

40 units of 2,367 total

Housing units held for seasonal or recreational use.

"Other vacant" share of all housing

11.2%

265 units of 2,367 total

⚑ Above the 5% threshold — possible indicator of disinvestment, abandonment, or condemned stock.

Section 3

Workforce Housing Needs Assessment

Affordability, cost burden, and the housing options for households in the workforce income range.

Workforce range — ACS median household income

80% MHI$58,976

100% MHI$73,720

120% MHI$88,464

County-wide median from ACS 5-year estimates. A household at 100% MHI in Brule County should be able to afford a home up to roughly — (30% housing budget, default mortgage terms).

Workforce range — HUD Area Median Income

	1-person	2-person	4-person
80% AMI	$54,850	$62,650	$78,300
100% AMI	$68,530	$78,320	$97,900
120% AMI	$82,250	$94,000	$117,500

HUD FMR Area: Brule County, SD. 80% AMI uses HUD's published Section 8 Low Income Limits; 100% is HUD MFI; 120% is the standard workforce convention.

Affordability calculator

Follows the standard 30%-of-gross-income affordability rule.

Income basis Household income Interest rate % Down payment % Taxes & insurance / yr

Affordable monthly—

Affordable home price—

Renter cost burden

37.4% of renter households spend ≥30% of income on rent (18.7% spend ≥50%).

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25070.

Owner cost burden by income

16.3% of homeowners spend ≥30% of income on housing. Bars show counts of cost-burdened owners by income bracket.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25106.

Household income — owners vs renters

Distribution of household income for owner-occupied (navy) and renter-occupied (gold) households.

Source: ACS 5-year 2024, Table B25118.

Section 4

Industry & Workforce Wages

Employment, average wages, and the housing each industry's typical earner can afford in Brule County.

Covered employment

1,447

Across 12 sectors

Establishments

192

QCEW 2024

Avg annual pay (workforce)

$37,780

Employment-weighted across sectors

Top 10 sectors by employment

Annual average employment by NAICS 2-digit sector. Counties with fewer than five covered establishments in a sector may show suppressed totals.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024.

Attainable housing by industry

Industry	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 62 Health care and social assistance NAICS 62	388	$44,777	$135,656	−$81,144	$1,119
NAICS 72 Accommodation and food services NAICS 72	299	$17,243	$33,165	−$183,635	$431
NAICS 44-45 Retail trade NAICS 44-45	268	$29,413	$78,466	−$138,334	$735
NAICS 42 Wholesale trade NAICS 42	153	$53,700	$168,870	−$47,930	$1,343
NAICS 23 Construction NAICS 23	62	$40,656	$120,316	−$96,484	$1,016
NAICS 92 Public administration NAICS 92	55	$61,787	$198,973	−$17,827	$1,545
NAICS 71 Arts, entertainment, and recreation NAICS 71	51	$33,731	$94,539	−$122,261	$843
NAICS 56 Administrative and support and waste management and remediation services NAICS 56	50	$47,078	$144,221	−$72,579	$1,177
NAICS 48-49 Transportation and warehousing NAICS 48-49	41	$54,209	$170,765	−$46,035	$1,355
NAICS 54 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 54	36	$51,608	$161,083	−$55,717	$1,290
NAICS 31-33 Manufacturing NAICS 31-33	33	$32,544	$90,120	−$126,680	$814
NAICS 22 Utilities NAICS 22	11	$81,069	$270,747	+$53,947	$2,027

Subsector	Employment	Avg annual wage	Affordable home price	vs. median value	Affordable monthly rent
NAICS 722 Food services and drinking places NAICS 722	232	$14,987	$24,767	−$192,033	$375
NAICS 624 Social assistance NAICS 624	126	$36,257	$103,941	−$112,859	$906
NAICS 457 Gasoline stations and fuel dealers NAICS 457	107	$24,326	$59,530	−$157,270	$608
NAICS 921 Executive, legislative, and other general government support NAICS 921	86	$37,829	$109,793	−$107,007	$946
NAICS 721 Accommodation NAICS 721	67	$25,054	$62,240	−$154,560	$626
NAICS 621 Ambulatory health care services NAICS 621	52	$47,241	$144,828	−$71,972	$1,181
NAICS 811 Repair and maintenance NAICS 811	37	$50,518	$157,026	−$59,774	$1,263
NAICS 238 Specialty trade contractors NAICS 238	36	$41,925	$125,040	−$91,760	$1,048
NAICS 541 Professional, scientific, and technical services NAICS 541	36	$51,608	$161,083	−$55,717	$1,290
NAICS 522 Credit intermediation and related activities NAICS 522	34	$75,147	$248,703	+$31,903	$1,879
NAICS 561 Administrative and support services NAICS 561	34	$47,666	$146,410	−$70,390	$1,192
NAICS 444 Building material and garden equipment and supplies dealers NAICS 444	33	$36,808	$105,992	−$110,808	$920
NAICS 111 Crop production NAICS 111	31	$49,224	$152,209	−$64,591	$1,231
NAICS 441 Motor vehicle and parts dealers NAICS 441	30	$49,163	$151,982	−$64,818	$1,229
NAICS 112 Animal production and aquaculture NAICS 112	28	$56,999	$181,150	−$35,650	$1,425
NAICS 311 Food manufacturing NAICS 311	28	$30,930	$84,112	−$132,688	$773
NAICS 236 Construction of buildings NAICS 236	26	$38,900	$113,779	−$103,021	$973
NAICS 524 Insurance carriers and related activities NAICS 524	24	$69,578	$227,973	+$11,173	$1,739
NAICS 562 Waste management and remediation services NAICS 562	15	$48,884	$150,943	−$65,857	$1,222
NAICS 812 Personal and laundry services NAICS 812	15	$18,921	$39,411	−$177,389	$473
NAICS 491 Postal service NAICS 491	14	$57,504	$183,030	−$33,770	$1,438
NAICS 221 Utilities NAICS 221	11	$81,069	$270,747	+$53,947	$2,027
NAICS 484 Truck transportation NAICS 484	11	$52,514	$164,455	−$52,345	$1,313
NAICS 926 Administration of economic programs NAICS 926	8	$66,452	$216,337	−$463	$1,661
NAICS 928 National security and international affairs NAICS 928	8	$78,272	$260,335	+$43,535	$1,957
NAICS 924 Administration of environmental quality programs NAICS 924	6	$74,361	$245,777	+$28,977	$1,859

Affordable home price assumes the industry's average earner uses 30% of gross income for housing, with a 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr taxes & insurance, and 0.5% PMI. Adjust the Section 3 calculator for other terms. Affordable rent is 30% of monthly gross pay.

Source: BLS QCEW Annual Averages, 2024; ACS 5-year 2024 (median home value).

Section 5

Wages by Occupation

Selected essential-worker occupations for the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county — jobs, the 10-year change, wages, and the housing each typical earner can afford. Both jobs counts and wages are reported at the MSA / nonmetropolitan-area level (BLS does not publish OEWS at the county level), so every county inside the same area shows the same numbers. For county-accurate employment totals, see Section 4 above.

Occupational wages and affordable housing

Occupation	2025 jobs	2015–2025 change	% change	Hourly wage	Annual wage	Affordable home price	Affordable monthly rent
Waiters and Waitresses SOC 35-3031	1,110	(120)	(10%)	$13.72	$28,530	$75,179	$713
Childcare Workers SOC 39-9011	400	40	11%	$14.01	$29,140	$77,449	$729
Fast Food and Counter Workers SOC 35-3023 · prior-year code differs	1,990	190	11%	$14.42	$29,990	$80,613	$750
Cashiers SOC 41-2011	2,610	(20)	(1%)	$14.78	$30,740	$83,405	$769
Janitors and Cleaners SOC 37-2011	1,350	(90)	(6%)	$17.37	$36,140	$103,506	$904
Tellers SOC 43-3071	300	(110)	(27%)	$19.02	$39,570	$116,273	$989
Home Health and Personal Care Aides SOC 31-1131 · prior-year code differs	710	(480)	(40%)	$19.04	$39,610	$116,422	$990
Retail Salespersons SOC 41-2031	1,440	(290)	(17%)	$19.31	$40,170	$118,507	$1,004
Office Clerks, General SOC 43-9061	350	(300)	(46%)	$19.31	$40,170	$118,507	$1,004
Construction Laborers SOC 47-2061	210	0	0%	$20.06	$41,720	$124,276	$1,043
Paramedics SOC 29-2043 · prior-year code differs	70	(270)	(79%)	$21.83	$45,410	$138,012	$1,135
Firefighters SOC 33-2011	90	—	—	$22.13	$46,030	$140,320	$1,151
Carpenters SOC 47-2031	780	210	37%	$22.97	$47,780	$146,834	$1,195
Maintenance and Repair Workers, General SOC 49-9071	670	100	18%	$24.04	$50,000	$155,097	$1,250
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters SOC 47-2152	180	10	6%	$25.58	$53,200	$167,009	$1,330
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education SOC 25-2021	1,000	120	14%	—	$54,120	$170,433	$1,353
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers SOC 53-3032	790	(290)	(27%)	$26.86	$55,880	$176,985	$1,397
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers SOC 33-3051	560	60	12%	$27.39	$56,970	$181,042	$1,424
Electricians SOC 47-2111	280	(10)	(3%)	$29.83	$62,050	$199,952	$1,551
Registered Nurses SOC 29-1141	1,540	210	16%	$38.25	$79,560	$265,130	$1,989

Affordable home price uses the same Section 3 formula (30% housing budget, 30-year mortgage at 7%, 5% down, $2,500/yr T&I, 0.5% PMI). Affordable rent is 30% of monthly wages. Negative job-change values are shown in red parentheses. A "prior-year code differs" note flags occupations whose SOC code changed between the two vintages (2010 SOC → 2018 SOC) — the change estimate is best-effort.

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 (10-year change vs. May 2015). Jobs counts and wages reflect the MSA or nonmetropolitan area containing this county, not the county alone — OEWS is not published at the county level.

Methodology & sources

All figures derive from the 2024 American Community Survey 5-year estimates. State and national comparisons are population-weighted aggregates of county-level estimates (an approximation; ACS publishes its own state and national medians which can differ slightly).

The affordability calculator uses a 30% housing-budget rule with a 30-year mortgage. Defaults are 7% interest, 5% down, $2,500/year taxes and insurance, and 0.5% PMI — adjustable above.

Variables: 46015 · pulled from Full Housing Data Table.xlsx.