Special Interest
Housing in Brown County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Brown County averages $777/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 26% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Brown County FMR Area are $682 for a studio, $740 for 1‑bedroom, $971 for 2‑bedroom, $1,221 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,544 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $194 increase for a 2-bedroom in Brown County shows a 25% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Brown County was 1.8% in 2024, compared to South Dakota at 1.8% and the national rate of 4.0%.
