County brief·Updated June 2, 2026

Dewey County, South Dakota Eviction Risk: Very Low

5 incorporated cities and unincorporated areas. The county Eviction Risk Score is held aloft by the city of North Eagle Butte (2.5) and a small number of dense urban cores. Rent-control coverage varies by city.

County Risk Score2.4/ 10 · Very Low

Cities tracked5municipalities

Census tracts2scored

Population4kLiving in 5 cities

Income spent on rent23.8%avg renter household

Average rent$631/ month

How Dewey County ranks in South Dakota

Lower number means more extreme, where #1 is the most

Eviction Risk Score

Very High

#2 of 66 SD counties 2.4 / 10

#2 of 66 counties in South Dakota for landlord eviction risk.

Cost of living

Very Low

#46 of 51 states (statewide) 88.6 index

South Dakota ranks #46 of 51 states on overall cost of living (11.4% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Housing services cost

Very Low

#43 of 51 states (statewide) 67.6 index

South Dakota ranks #43 of 51 states on housing services (32.4% cheaper than the U.S. avg).

Income spent on rent

Low

#41 of 66 SD counties 22.5% of income

#41 of 66 counties in South Dakota on % of income spent on rent.

Cities in Dewey County

Sorted by Eviction Risk Score · highest first

Map view

	City↕	Population↕	Risk↕	% income on rent↕	Average rent↕	Lean↕
001	North Eagle Butte Pop 1,481 · 23.8% income · $727 rent · Dem	1,481	2.5	23.8%	$727	Dem
002	Eagle Butte Pop 1,458 · 27.6% income · $611 rent · Dem	1,458	2.4	27.6%	$611	Dem
003	Timber Lake Pop 779 · 17.3% income · $546 rent · Dem	779	2.2	17.3%	$546	Dem
004	La Plant Pop 240 · 23.5% income · $463 rent · Dem	240	2.5	23.5%	$463	Dem
005	Whitehorse Pop 162 · 20.5% income · $616 rent · Dem	162	2.3	20.5%	$616	Dem

County heatmap

Geographic distribution

Local landlord context

One county, multiple regulatory regimes.

Dewey County spans 5 cities serving approximately 4,120 residents. The average landlord eviction risk across the county is 2.4/10. The county voted Democratic by 17.3 points in 2020.

Risk varies city-by-city. The table above shows exact scores, population, and average rent for every municipality. Click any city for the full sub-score breakdown, including local political climate, rent-control exposure, tenant organizing strength, and typical eviction cost and timeline.

Reviewed by NextGen Properties Research Team · Last updated June 2, 2026

Peer counties in South Dakota

Same state, closest by population and Eviction Risk Score

Where eviction risk concentrates in Dewey County

Top cities + top neighborhoods · click any card for the full breakdown

Top cities by population

Frequently asked

Frequently asked questions about Dewey County

Why is rent-to-income ratio 23.8% in Dewey County?

Rent-to-income ratio of 23.8% reflects the ratio of average gross rent to average household income across 5 cities in Dewey County.

What court hears evictions in Dewey County?

South Dakota state court hears unlawful detainer or summary process actions in Dewey County. See the South Dakota eviction laws eviction-process guide for court name and procedure.

Does Dewey County have just-cause eviction?

Just-cause eviction is determined by state law. South Dakota eviction laws framework applies; see the South Dakota eviction laws tenant-protections guide.