What is the eviction risk score for Fort Thompson?

The landlord eviction risk score for Fort Thompson, SD is 5.0 out of 10, rated Moderate risk.

Does Fort Thompson have rent control?

The rent-control risk score for Fort Thompson is 2.7 out of 10.

How long does an eviction take in Fort Thompson?

Typical eviction timeline is about 18 days from notice to writ of possession.

Fort Thompson, SD Eviction Risk Score Buffalo County · South Dakota · Pop. 1,147

Updated Apr 18, 2026

● Moderate Risk

Fort Thompson, SD sits at 5.0/10 — Moderate risk. 22.9% rent burden, 60.8% renters, ~18-day typical timeline.

5.0 / 10 Moderate

★★☆ Medium confidence · 91%

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Score vs. benchmarks

Fort Thompson

5.0

Buffalo County

3.7

South Dakota avg

2.4

National avg

4.4

15.5%Tenant-law probabilityi

$770–2,671Typical eviction costi

18 daysTypical timelinei

$1,082HUD 2BR FMR '25i

$563Median renti

22.9%Rent burdeni

60.8%Rentersi

Location & regional heat

Low risk

High risk

Heat = surrounding cities. Click any dot to compare.

Sub-score breakdown

Each component on a 1–10 scale. Ticks mark the 25th, 50th, 75th, and 90th percentiles nationally.

Local political climatei

6.9

Regional political climatei

6.9

State political climate

1.5

Economic stressi

9.4

Supply constrainti

5.4

Rent-control riski

2.7

Eviction process difficulty

1.7

Tenant organizing strengthi

9.5

Housing court bias

6.1

Voucher gap (market vs HUD FMR)i

0.0

Own rentals in or near Fort Thompson?

Free consultation — local rent-control exposure, notice requirements, and eviction defense risk.

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About eviction risk in Fort Thompson, SD

Fort Thompson, SD has an eviction risk score of 5.0 out of 10, placing it in the moderate-risk tier for landlords operating in Buffalo County and the state of South Dakota. The score combines local political climate, court disposition patterns, cost-of-eviction estimates, tenant organizing strength, and the likelihood of new tenant-protective legislation in the next legislative cycle.

Census ACS 2023 5-year estimates show median gross rent as a percentage of household income is 22.9% — a core driver of eviction filings, because households above 30% of income on rent are statistically more likely to miss a payment after any income shock. Median gross rent in Fort Thompson is $563/month. About 60.8% of occupied units here are renter-occupied.

Economic stress: poverty rate 40.5%, unemployment 12.3%. Higher values correlate with higher eviction filing rates and longer court timelines.

Political climate: In 2020, Buffalo County voted Democratic by 30.8 points — classified as strongly tenant-leaning for purposes of rent-control or just-cause expansion risk.

What this score means for landlords

At 5.0/10, Fort Thompson is an elevated-risk environment. Tenant protections are stronger than the national median. Use proactive screening, document notices in writing, and understand your specific just-cause and rent-cap exposure before raising rent or terminating a tenancy.

Nearby Cities — Eviction Risk Comparison

City	Distance	Population	Risk score
Lower Brule, SD	9 mi	743	3.3
West Brule, SD	11.7 mi	471	2.9
Stephan, SD	13.7 mi	13	2.2
Reliance, SD	15.5 mi	211	1.6
Oacoma, SD	17.4 mi	548	2.4
Chamberlain, SD	18.1 mi	2,588	2.8
Gann Valley, SD	20.7 mi	6	2.4
Pukwana, SD	22 mi	300	2.2