Special Interest
Housing in Custer County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Custer County averages $1,112/month for a 2‑bedroom in 2024, compared to the South Dakota median of $946 and the national median of $1,413. Local renters spend approximately 17% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Custer County FMR Area are $846 for a studio, $935 for 1‑bedroom, $1,227 for 2‑bedroom, $1,706 for 3‑bedroom, and $2,058 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $115 increase for a 2-bedroom in Custer County shows a 10% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Custer County was 2.2% in 2024, compared to South Dakota at 1.8% and the national rate of 4.0%.
