Fall River County Public RecordsSouth Dakota

Fall River County, SD, has a crime rate below the national average, reporting approximately 18.2 crimes per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crimes, including assault and robbery, remain low at around 1.6 per 1,000, while property crimes such as burglary and theft account for most incidents—roughly 16.6 per 1,000. Law enforcement agencies emphasize community reporting and transparency, contributing to a safer environment. Recent years have seen slight fluctuations, but the overall trend points to stable or declining crime rates compared to state and national figures.

Fall River County, SD, had approximately 4,800 registered voters in 2022, predominantly Republican (over 60%), with Democrats and Independents making up the remainder. The county holds federal, state, and local elections, including primaries and general elections. In the 2020 presidential election, Donald Trump received 73% of the county vote. Polling locations include the courthouse in Hot Springs and local town halls. Key issues include property tax and rural healthcare. Election administration is managed by the county auditor. Political activity is mainly between Republican and Democratic parties, with a strong Republican advantage.

As of the 2020 Census, Fall River County, SD, had a population of 6,973. The median age was approximately 49.7 years, reflecting an older population. About 52.2% were male and 47.8% female. Racially, the county was 87.6% White, 6.9% Native American, 1% Asian, and 4.5% two or more races, with 2.7% Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Fall River County, SD, has 6 public schools, including Hot Springs High School, serving approximately 900 K-12 students. The high school graduation rate is around 81%, with 16% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher—below the national average. School safety is routinely monitored, with an incident rate of fewer than 2 per 100 students annually. Most schools score in the 40th percentile statewide on standardized assessments. Educational programs include CTE pathways and adult GED courses, supporting lifelong learning and workforce readiness.

As of 2022, Fall River County, SD had an employment rate of approximately 52.1%. The largest employment sectors included Health Care & Social Assistance (19.7%), Public Administration (15.8%), and Retail Trade (10.2%). The most common occupation types were Management, Business, Science, and Arts occupations (27.7%). About 77.2% of county residents drove alone to work, with a mean commute time of 19 minutes. Most workers were employed within Fall River County itself, though some commuted to neighboring counties such as Pennington.

Fall River County, SD has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with median home values around $170,000 (2023). Median monthly rent is about $850. The area saw a modest property value increase of roughly 6% year-over-year. Housing includes single-family homes, manufactured houses, and some rentals, particularly in Hot Springs, the largest city. Popular neighborhoods include downtown Hot Springs and Edgemont. Property tax rates are approximately 1.4%, lower than the national average, making homeownership relatively affordable.