Brookings County Income Charts

This section shows the Brookings County South Dakota economy using the most recent economic analysis from the 2022 Census Bureau. Starting with Figure 1 which shows the median earnings per worker, Brookings County shows it has a Median earnings of $46,209 which is the third most median earnings of all other counties in the greater Brookings County region. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Hamlin County which shows a median earnings of $48,283 (only about 4.5% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Brookings County is about 15.3% smaller. Also, compared to the state of South Dakota, median earnings per worker of $46,456, Brookings County is about the same size.

In Figure 2 a more complete view of income is shown which aggregates income from all members in the household and it has a Median household income of $59,178 which is the second smallest in order of median household income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest median household income in the area is Hamlin County which depicts a median income of $71,923 (21.5% larger). Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Brookings County is about 16.6% smaller. Also, measured against the state of South Dakota, median household income of $63,920, Brookings County is about 8.0% smaller.

The next section examines a variety of different income statistics for the Brookings County metropolitan area. In Figure 3 we see that it it has the largest proportion of earnings less than $10,000 at 8.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of earnings between $10,000 and $14,999 at 6.5% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $15,000 and $19,999 at 29.5% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of earnings between $75,000 and $99,999 at 4.6% of the total.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 37.9 which is the smallest when sorted by average hours of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average hours in the area is Deuel County which depicts an average hours of 43.1 (13.7% larger). Dividing median annual worker earnings by the average number of hours worked in a year in Figure 6 shows that it has a Avg Hrly Earnings of $23.45 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Brookings County region. Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Brookings County is about 12.6% smaller. Also, in contrast to the state of South Dakota, average hourly earnings of $22.56, Brookings County is only about 3.9% larger.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Brookings County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Brookings County shows it has a Self Employed of 12.1% which is the smallest when sorted by percentage of people self employed of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Kingsbury County which depicts a percentage self employed of 24.4% (about twice as large).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years less than most other counties in the local area at $71,250 of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-25 to 44 years at $80,985 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Moody County ($81,354), and #1 Lake County ($89,950) are larger. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of median income-45 to 64 years at $49,250 of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Hamlin County with $49,500.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Brookings County has the smallest proportion of income from wages at 4.5% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of investment and retirement income at 6.2% of the total.

The next chart (Figure 11) shows the percentage of households that had retirement income over the last 12 months and it has a With Retirement Income of 16.3% which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest households with retirement income in the area is Lake County which depicts a households with retirement income of 20.6% (26.2% larger).

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has the largest proportion of overall family income at $94,368 of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of american indian family income at $81,618 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Brookings County depicts it has the hightest cost of 102.2 for the cost of healthcare category.

Brookings County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at very recent, monthly trended employment related performance using data estimated by economists at the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The BLS tracks unemployment statistics for a large number of areas throughout the country on a month to month basis. However, not every location in the U.S. is tracked by the BLS so the chart will only show the closest location available (which may be the same location.) Figure 14 shows the monthly unemployment rate for the area as well as a comparison to the overall national economy measure for the United States. Note that in March to April 2020, the Covid 19 recession or great recession occurred and affects this metric. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the disasterous COVID Pandemic the monthly unemployment rate went from 5.0% to 2.6% in February 2020. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 48.0%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 2.6% This represents an increase in the monthly unemployment rate of very little. In Figure 15 the monthly labor force participation which are people actively looking for work are also defined as unemployed but do not include people who have given up looking for work. . It shows that from February 2010 to before the Wuhan Coronavirus/COVID Pandemic the monthly labor force participation went from 18,013 to 18,416 in March 2020. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of 2.2%. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 18,674 This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little.

The next two charts look at the annual unemployment rate/eligible for unemployment benefits and is based on the American Community survey. Figure 16 shows Brookings County depicts it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.9% which is more than all other counties in the greater Brookings County region. Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Brookings County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 71.1% which is at the top of all other counties in the metro area.

The Components of Employment Status graph in Figure 18 shows the composition of the labor force broken down by employed, unemployed, and not in the labor force (but 16 years of age or older). Brookings County has the largest proportion of employed at 2.9% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of unemployed at 28.9% of the total.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Brookings County shows full time employees approximately 2.5 times bigger as the part time employees.

The next employment related data item is shown in Figure 21 which is the percentage of families with only a single earner in the greater Brookings County area. Brookings County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 19.4% which is less than most other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Hamlin County which shows a single earners rate of 26.6% (37.2% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Brookings County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 13.7% which is less than most other counties in the area. The county with the highest families with no one working in the area is Lake County which shows a families with no worker of 16.1% (18.0% larger).

Brookings County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Brookings County community. This performance can be enhanced by government programs such as economic opportunity zone to influence manufacturing, job growth, economic opportunity an hopefully lead to economic recovery after the recent Covid 19 recession. In Figure 23 the total number of people earning less than the poverty level are shown. Brookings County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 3,710 which is ranked #1 of all counties in the greater Brookings County region.

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Brookings County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 12.1% which is more than all other counties in the greater Brookings County region.

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Brookings County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 12 to 17 years at 66% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 18 to 34 years at 11% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 35 to 54 years at 3% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 6% of the total.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Brookings County has one of the largest proportions of white poverty rate at 17% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Moody County with 31%. Second, it has the largest proportion of black poverty rate at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of american indian poverty rate at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian poverty rate at 22% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Lincoln County with 29%.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Brookings County has the largest proportion of unmarried with children and in poverty at 40% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Brookings County has the smallest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 7% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of has some college and in poverty at 7% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Brookings County has one of the largest proportions of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 22.4% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Moody County with 24.9%. Additionally, Figure 30 looks at the percentage of people who receive some form of public assistance including general assistance, temporary assistance or food stamps (i.e. SNAP.) Brookings County shows it has a Public Assistance Percent of 4.9% which is in the mid range of other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Moody County which shows a households with public assistance of 9.7% (about twice as large).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Brookings County depicts it has a Gini Index of 39.1% which is less than most other counties in the metropolitan area.

Brookings County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Brookings County or elsewhere.) Brookings County has the largest proportion of people who bike at 1% of the total and is ranked #1.

In Figure 35 is shown a frequency distribution of the time that people leave for work. Brookings County has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 3% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 530 am to 6am at 5% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 6am to 630am at 9% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people who leave for work between 630 am to 7am at 12% of the total. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 8am to 830am at 4% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 9am to 10am at 2% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 11am to 12noon at 10% of the total and is ranked #1. Additionally, it has the largest proportion of people who leave for work between 12noon to 4pm at 8% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Brookings County has one of the largest proportions of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes at 25% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Lake County with 33%. Second, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 27% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 16% of the total and is ranked #1. Also, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 3% of the total. In addition, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 4% of the total. Furthermore, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 0% of the total. Next it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 35 to 39 minutes at 1% of the total. Additionally, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 40 to 44 minutes at 2% of the total.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Brookings County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 15 which is the smallest as measured by average commute time of all the other counties in the surrounding region. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Brookings County shows average commute time in minutes for men 40.3% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Brookings County has the largest proportion of no vehicle available at 19% of the total and is ranked #1. Second, it has the largest proportion of 1 vehicle available at 38% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the smallest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 22% of the total. Also, it has the smallest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 5% of the total. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Brookings County depicts it has a Work in city or place where live of 71% which is the largest of all counties in the greater Brookings County region. Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Brookings County is 61.5% larger. Also, benchmarked against the state of South Dakota, people who both work and live in the same city of 68%, Brookings County is only about 4.7% larger.

Brookings County Jobs Charts

The next to charts break out the median earnings for major job categories for men and women. Figure 46 shows the median earnings of men for the job categories. Brookings County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $110,761 for the earnings-healthcare practitioners and tech occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Brookings County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $57,391 for the earnings-computer, engineering, and science occupations category. The table in Figure 48, shows Brookings County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Brookings County Self Employment Charts

Figure 49 shows economic activity in terms of the number of people who are self employed in incorporated local business by industry. Brookings County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 50% for the self employed management, business, science, and arts businesses group.

Similar to the last chart is Figure 50 which shows the number of people who are self employed but in more detailed industry categories such as manufacturing, retail sales, residential real estate, commercial real estate, health care, exports/imports, and advanced industries, etc. Brookings County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 26% for the self employed in manufacturing group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Brookings County depicts it has a Self Employment Income of $27,710 which is the smallest when ranked by average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Kingsbury County which shows an average annual self employment income of $62,104 (approximately 2.2 times bigger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Brookings County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, compared to the state of South Dakota, average annual self employment income of $40,950, Brookings County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Figure 52 shows the difference between the number of self employed men and self employed women (i.e. entrepreneurs.) Brookings County depicts total number of self-employed men about twice as large as the total number of self-employed women.