How Does Federal Fiscal Policy Impact South Dakota’s Budget?
It had to end at some point. More than six years after the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world stage, federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) aid is finally coming to an end. As South…
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A Farmer, a Nurse, and a Welder Walk into a Bar: Healthcare in the South Dakota Economy
While the title of this article might sound like a setup for a joke, agriculture, healthcare, and manufacturing make up almost 30% of South Dakota’s GDP. If you were surprised to see healthcare on…
The Price of Power: Data Centers and South Dakota’s Energy Future
Introduction The data center industry is in the midst of a historic expansion, driven by artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the rising volume of data that modern life generates. South Dakota sits at an…
Shifting Bases, Shifting Incentives: Property Tax Relief Isn’t Free
In South Dakota, county governments provide public services like snow removal, courthouses, roads/bridge maintenance, and other services related to public safety financed almost exclusively through property taxes. At the same time, school districts are…
Has South Dakota Lost Its Housing Affordability Advantage?
For many years, South Dakota has been viewed as a relatively affordable place to buy a home, particularly for first-time buyers and potential in-migrants, especially compared to more populous states in the Upper Midwest.
Behind South Dakota’s Population Growth
The most recent state and county estimates released by the Census Bureau conveyed a continuation of prior moderate growth and similar trends among counties. As in past years, this article will detail specifics of…
From Fields to Finance: South Dakota’s Economic Landscape in Early 2025
South Dakota’s economy surged 5.2% in the second quarter of 2025, rebounding sharply from a 3.1% contraction just months earlier. This volatile pattern—from downturn to recovery in just six months—reveals the dual nature of…
Migration and Income Flows in South Dakota
Migration is a key component of population change. It is typically more volatile than natural increase and can be a significant indicator of the relative economic strength and attractiveness of places. Income changes due…
Beyond Assessed Values: South Dakota Schools Face a Funding Crossroads
Property taxes in South Dakota, especially assessment valuation growth, continue to be topics of discussion for homeowners, school officials, and state legislators. This article highlights differences in school district assessment growth (and ultimately tax…
How are Local Opt-Outs are Affecting Local Property Tax Rates?
Public school districts in South Dakota face a complex set of budgetary restrictions (e.g. recent minimum teacher salary increases, the state aid formula, etc.) so changes in policy that impact other potential funding sources…
