Custer County Income Charts

This section shows the Custer 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, Custer County depicts it has a Median earnings of $54,175 which is the second most of all the counties in the local area. The county with the highest median earnings per worker in the area is Weston County which depicts a median earnings of $62,264 (14.9% larger). Comparing median earnings per worker to the United States average of $53,269, Custer County is only slightly larger. Also, in comparison with the state of South Dakota, median earnings per worker of $46,456, Custer County is 16.6% larger.

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 $68,736 which is is the uppermost of the counties in the greater Custer County region. Comparing median household income to the United States average of $69,021, Custer County is about the same size. Also, in contrast to the state of South Dakota, median household income of $63,920, Custer County is 7.5% larger.

Figure 5 has the Average number of hours worked in a typical work week during the year, it has a Avg Hours Worked of 39.8 which is the largest of all counties in the greater Custer County region. 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 $26.18 which is the third most average hourly earnings of all other counties in the greater Custer County region. The county with the highest average hourly earnings in the area is Weston County which shows an average hourly earnings of $30.94 (18.2% larger). Comparing average hourly earnings to the United States average of $26.40, Custer County is about the same size. Also, versus the state of South Dakota, average hourly earnings of $22.56, Custer County is 16.0% larger.

Figure 7 examines the number of self employed people in the Custer County metro area based on the number of people who reported any self employment income. Custer County depicts it has a Self Employed of 21.6% which is the second most people self employed of all the counties in the greater Custer County region. The county with the highest percentage of people self employed in the area is Fall River County which depicts a percentage self employed of 21.7% ( about the same size).

Turning our attention to Figure 8, the median household income by age group, has the percentage of median income-under 25 years the second smallest when sorted by median income for those under 25 years of age of all the other counties in the local area at $57,639 of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of median income-25 to 44 years at $94,239 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of median income-45 to 64 years at $56,867 of the total and is ranked #1.

Figure 9 breaks down the source of income and Custer County has the largest proportion of self employment income at 21.3% of the total and is ranked #1.

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 35.2% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Custer County region.

In the next chart, Figure 12, the median family income is shown for families broken down by racial group and it has one of the largest proportions of overall family income at $76,125 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Lawrence County ($79,221), and #1 Pennington County ($85,588) are larger. Second, it has the largest proportion of black family income at $168,382 of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has one of the largest proportions of hawaiian family income at $2,499 of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Pennington County ($58,014), and #1 Lawrence County ($113,971) are larger.

Figure 13 shows the cost of living and other consumer spending categories for a variety of cost components from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Custer County shows it has the hightest cost of 101.7 for the cost of grocery items classification.

Custer County Labor Force Charts

The next two charts look at 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 2022, the Covid 19 recession occurred and affects this metric. The monthly unemployment rate shows that from February 2017 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic it went from 5.4% to 5.1% in December 2019. This represents a decrease in the monthly unemployment rate of 5.6%. Since that time, the monthly unemployment rate has gone to 5.1%. 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. The monthly labor force participation depicts that from January 2017 to before the Coronavirus Pandemic it went from 3,908 to 3,971 in November 2019. This represents an increase in the monthly labor force participation of very little. Since that time, the monthly labor force participation has gone to 3,971. 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 Custer County shows it has a Unemployment Rate of 2.3% which is the third most of all other counties in the greater region. The county with the highest unemployment rate in the area is Oglala Lakota County which shows a rate of 4.8% (about twice as large). Figure 17 shows the labor force participation using the estimated percentage of people either working or actively looking for work. Custer County shows it has a Labor Force Participation of 53.0% which is in the mid point range of other counties in the metro area.

The percentage of full-time workers are compared to the number of part-time workers in Figure 19. Custer County shows full time employees approximately 2.9 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 Custer County area. Custer County depicts it has a Single Earner Families of 28.3% which is the second most families with a single earner of all the counties in the greater Custer County region. The county with the highest families with a single earner in the area is Oglala Lakota County which depicts a single earners rate of 39.9% (40.9% larger). The percentage of families with no one working is depicted in Figure 22. Custer County depicts it has a Families with No One Working of 30.6% which is the highest of all counties in the greater Custer County region.

Custer County Poverty Charts

The next section details economy analysis about poverty for residents of the Custer 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. Custer County depicts it has a Total In Poverty of 936 which is less than most other counties in the local area. The county with the highest total people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Pennington County which depicts a total people earning less than the poverty level of 13,304 ( very much bigger).

In Figure 24 the percentage of people earning less than the poverty level is shown and compared across the group of places. Custer County depicts it has a Percent of Population In Poverty of 11.4% which is the smallest when ranked by percent of people earning less than the poverty level of all the other counties in the local area. The county with the highest percent of people earning less than the poverty level in the area is Oglala Lakota County which depicts a percent of people in poverty of 50.5% (approximately 4.4 times bigger).

In Figure 25 people who are in poverty are broken out by age group. Custer County has the largest proportion of person in poverty 55 to 64 years at 33% of the total and is ranked #1.

The next chart, Figure 26, shows the percentage of people in poverty by racial group. Custer County has the percentage of white poverty rate in the mid point range of other counties in the metro area at 3% of the total. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of black poverty rate at 60% of the total and is ranked #3. Only #2 Lawrence County (61%), and #1 Fall River County (81%) are larger. Third, it has less than most other counties in the greater region in terms of hawaiian poverty rate at 22% of the total.

Figure 27 shows key poverty statistics for groups based on marriage status. Custer County has one of the largest proportions of married with children and in poverty at 49% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Oglala Lakota County with 67%. Second, it has one of the largest proportions of unmarried with children and in poverty at 52% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Oglala Lakota County with 68%.

The next chart looks at the percentage of people in poverty based on their education level in Figure 28 marriage status. Custer County has the smallest proportion of less than highschool in poverty at 11% of the total. Second, it has the smallest proportion of highschool graduate and in poverty at 7% of the total. Figure 29 looks at only those people who make less than the poverty level of income and breaks down there employment status. Custer County has the smallest proportion of people who are in poverty and unemployed at 10.3% of the total. 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.) Custer County depicts it has a Public Assistance Percent of 6.9% which is the second smallest as measured by households with public assistance of all the other counties in the surrounding region. The county with the highest households with public assistance in the area is Oglala Lakota County which shows a households with public assistance of 51.8% ( very much bigger).

Figure 31 shows the "Gini Index of Income Inequality" with a range from zero (perfect equality) to one (perfect inequality). Custer County depicts it has a Gini Index of 42.4% which is the second smallest in terms of the gini index of all the other counties in the local area.

Custer County Work Commute Charts

Figure 33 shows a more detailed view of how the population commutes to work for (for example to downtown Custer County or elsewhere.) Custer 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. Custer County has one of the largest proportions of people who leave for work between 12am to 5am at 6% of the total and is ranked #2. The only larger county being Weston County with 16%.

The next graph in Figure 36 shows the average number of minutes that it takes for people to commute to work. Custer County has the percentage of people with commute time of less than 5 minutesutes the second smallest when sorted by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the local area at 15% of the total. Second, it has the second smallest when sorted by people with commute time of less than 5 minutes of all the other counties in the greater region as measured by people with commute time between 5 to 9 minutes at 10% of the total. Third, it has the smallest proportion of people with commute time between 10 to 14 minutes at 6% of the total. Also, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 20 to 24 minutes at 12% of the total and is ranked #1. In addition, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 25 to 29 minutes at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Furthermore, it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 30 to 34 minutes at 3% of the total and is ranked #1. Next it has the largest proportion of people with commute time between 60 to 89 minutes at 6% of the total and is ranked #1.

The average commute time is shown in Figure 37. Custer County shows it has a Avg Commute Time of 30 which is more than all other counties in the local area. Figure 38 shows the difference between male versus female commuting time. Custer County shows average commute time in minutes for men 44.2% larger as the average commute time in minutes for women. Figure 40 shows the total number of vehicles available for transportation and Custer County has the smallest proportion of no vehicle available at 10% of the total. Second, it has the largest proportion of 2 vehicles available at 29% of the total and is ranked #1. Third, it has the largest proportion of 4 vehicles available at 13% of the total and is ranked #1. Figure 41 shows the percentage of people who both work and live in the same city (town or place.) Custer County shows it has a Work in city or place where live of 49% which is the second smallest in terms of people who both work and live in the same city of all the other counties in the metro area. The county with the highest people who both work and live in the same city in the area is Niobrara County which shows a people who both work and live in the same city of 80% (64.1% larger). Comparing people who both work and live in the same city to the United States average of 44%, Custer County is 11.0% larger. Also, measured against the state of South Dakota, people who both work and live in the same city of 68%, Custer County is approximately three-fourths the size.

Custer 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. Custer County depicts it has the hightest median earnings of $77,841 for the earnings-sales and office occupations grouping. Similarly, Figure 47 shows the median earnings of women for the job categories and Custer County shows it has the hightest median earnings of $65,357 for the management, business, and financial occupations category. The table in Figure 48, shows Custer County employment data in terms of job categories and salary data.

Custer 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. Custer County depicts it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 43% for the self employed in sales and office related businesses classification.

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. Custer County shows it has the hightest entrepreneurs of 34% for the self employed in finance, insurance, real estate, rental and leasing group.

In Figure 51 the average annual self employment/entrepreneur income is shown. Custer County shows it has a Self Employment Income of $27,655 which is the smallest when sorted by average annual self employment income of all the other counties in the area. The county with the highest average annual self employment income in the area is Lawrence County which depicts an average annual self employment income of $48,556 (75.6% larger). Comparing average annual self employment income to the United States average of $42,141, Custer County is approximately three-fourths the size. Also, benchmarked against the state of South Dakota, average annual self employment income of $40,950, Custer 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.) Custer County shows total number of self-employed men 69.1% larger as the total number of self-employed women.