Moody County Public RecordsSouth Dakota

Moody County, SD has three public schools (1 high school, 1 middle, 1 elementary), primarily located in the Flandreau School District. The high school graduation rate is about 91%, and around 22% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools have an average GreatSchools score of 6/10. Moody County offers career and technical education, dual credit courses, and strong adult education programs, including the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal College. School safety is a priority, with low incidents reported in 2023 and proactive mental health support programs available for students and families.

As of 2022, Moody County, SD, had an employment rate of approximately 66%. The leading industries included agriculture (18%), healthcare and social assistance (16%), and manufacturing (14%). The most common occupation types were management, business, science, and arts occupations (28%), and sales and office occupations (22%). About 79% of workers commuted by car, with an average commute time of 21 minutes. Major employment locations included Flandreau and Sioux Falls, with nearly 32% of residents working outside the county.

Moody County, SD, features a homeownership rate of about 77%, with median home values around $181,000 and median gross rents at $825. The housing market has seen moderate appreciation, with values rising approximately 6% year-over-year. Single-family homes dominate, alongside some multifamily units, especially in towns like Flandreau and Colman. Neighborhoods remain quiet and rural in character. Property tax rates average 1.4% of assessed value. The mix of affordable housing options and low taxes makes homeownership accessible, while renters benefit from steady, moderate rents.

Moody County, South Dakota had 4,095 registered voters as of 2022, mostly Republican (62%), with Democrats (26%) and Independents (12%). County elections include local, state, federal, and school board races. In the 2020 Presidential Election, 69% voted Republican, 28% Democrat. Polling locations include Flandreau Community Center and Egan City Hall. Key issues are agriculture, taxes, and local school funding. Elections are administered by the Moody County Auditor’s Office, ensuring compliance with state law. Major parties—Republican and Democratic—dominate county politics, with occasional independent candidates. Turnout often exceeds 70% in general elections.

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Moody County, SD, had a population of 6,336. The median age was 39.3 years. Females comprised 50.1% and males 49.9% of the population. Racially, the county was 85.3% White, 8.2% Native American, 1.1% African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.8% from other races, and 4.1% of two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents made up 2.6% of the total population.

Moody County, SD, maintains relatively low crime rates compared to state and national averages. In recent years, the county reported an average of around 40-50 total crimes annually, with violent crimes making up less than 10% of reported incidents. Property crimes, such as theft and burglary, account for most cases. The crime rate hovers around 11.2 per 1,000 residents. Local law enforcement and the sheriff’s office encourage prompt incident reporting, contributing to effective crime management and community safety in the area.