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 the…
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 to…
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 revenue…
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 may…
Tariffs have become a focal point of discussion among economists, business leaders, and policymakers. To understand their potential impact on South Dakota, examining their historical role in U.S. trade policy and the reasoning behind their…
Over the last three decades, South Dakota has seen uneven and striking shifts in its economic conditions, social composition, and demographic profile. Using detailed neighborhood-level data aggregated to county boundaries from the 1990 and 2000…
Between 2023 and 2024 South Dakota kept alive its trend of population growth every year since 1989. The most recent growth is substantial, but the population grew at a slower pace than the previous year.
This article provides an overview of recent trends regarding teacher pay in South Dakota. New and existing teachers looking for work in South Dakota may find it a useful reference when contemplating where to live…
South Dakota’s population continues to rise. The significant state population growth seen in 2020-22, fueled largely by migration from the rest of the US, continued into 2023 but at a lower rate. The Census Bureau-estimated…
On September 18, 2024, the US Federal Reserve (FED) announced it was lowering the Federal Funds target rate by half a percent (0.50% or 50 basis points). The current target range for the Federal Funds…
