Poverty Rates in South Dakota
Needs of Native American Reservations Constantly Ignored
With a poverty rate of 12.9%, South Dakota has the 19th highest poverty rate in the United States, a position it shares with the state of Oregon.
This is just slightly better than the poverty rate of Missouri, and just slightly higher than the poverty rate of Michigan.
Where the Worst Poverty in South Dakota Occurs
The worst poverty in South Dakota is found in many different rural counties close to the center of the state on both the northern and southern borders (see map below article).
Most of these counties are west of the Missouri River, with the exception of Clay, Buffalo, and Charles Mix.
The counties in South Dakota with critical poverty rates (at least 50% above the state average) are the following:
- Bennett (29.3%)
- Buffalo (31.6%)
- Charles Mix (22.4%)
- Clay (19.8%)
- Corson (32.4%)
- Dewey (25.7%)
- Jackson (27.3%)
- Mellette (28.6%)
- Shannon (38.4%)
- Todd (36.4%)
- Ziebach (39.4%)
Almost all of these rural counties, with the exception of Clay County, have a majority of Native American residents living on many different Sioux reservations.
Both of South Dakota’s two major cities (25,000 or more people) have poverty rates below the state average.
Why the Worst Poverty in South Dakota Exists
Since all of the most critical poverty in South Dakota occurs in very rural areas, it is important to consider the isolation problem that comes with rural life, especially when poor.
Some of the problems that come with an isolated rural life include slow emergency response, unpaved or neglected roads, limited access to utilities, vulnerability to the elements, and a lack of access to services like package or mail delivery and bussing.
When these already challenging obstacles of rural life are combined with the problem of isolation associated with Native American reservations, the isolation now multiplies to even greater degrees.
Native Americans living on these reservations often times feel forgotten, or pushed to the side, by the United States government.
There is a serious negative stigma associated with these reservations which makes it harder on the residents, suicide rates are extremely high, and they have little to no political voice.
When is the last time anyone heard “I’m going to fight to improve the Native American reservations” in a campaign message?
All of this aside, it is important to keep in mind that the reasons for poverty are as unique as the individuals who live through it. Though finding trends in a specific area is important, no generalization can account for everyone.
What is Being Done about Poverty in South Dakota
One very important organization to the poorest people in South Dakota is the Native American Heritage Association (NAHA).
NAHA is based in Rapid City, and works to deliver food and clothing to many Native Americans in need on the reservations of South Dakota.
They even have a virtual tour which shows people what a standard food delivery trip to the reservations looks like and why they are so important to the people there.
Other organizations working to improve the lives of the people of South Dakota include national organizations like Second Harvest and Habitat for Humanity.
These organizations run off of the donations of time and money from other American citizens to provide food and shelter to the poorest Americans across the United States.
References:
United States Census Bureau
Native American Heritage Association
