Special Interest
Housing in Hand County
Both Census and HUD figures represent gross rent — contract rent plus estimated utility costs for electricity, heat, water, and sewer.
Rent in Hand County averages $587/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 16% of household income on rent, below the national average of 32%.
HUD 2026 50th Percentile Rent Estimates for Hand County FMR Area are $641 for a studio, $788 for 1‑bedroom, $929 for 2‑bedroom, $1,292 for 3‑bedroom, and $1,438 for 4‑bedroom.
HUD 2026 Rent Estimates reflect market movement since 2024 Census data — a $342 increase for a 2-bedroom in Hand County shows a 58% rise over that period.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics annual unemployment rate for Hand County was 1.3% in 2024, compared to South Dakota at 1.8% and the national rate of 4.0%.
