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South Dakota Score and Ranking
| CATEGORY | 2026 SCORE | 2026 RANK | 2025 RANK | 2026 GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| INFRASTRUCTURE | 178 | 44 | 31 | D |
| ECONOMY | 168 | 45 | 36 | D- |
| WORKFORCE | 135 | 47 | 47 | F |
| QUALITY OF LIFE | 138 | 33 | 29 | C- |
| COST OF DOING BUSINESS | 170 | 14 | 16 | B |
| TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION | 53 | 50 | 49 | F |
| BUSINESS FRIENDLINESS | 169 | 3 | 2 | A- |
| ACCESS TO CAPITAL | 20 | 46 | 28 | F |
| EDUCATION | 48 | 28 | 35 | C |
| COST OF LIVING | 38 | 3 | 16 | A |
| OVERALL | 1117 | 44 | 35 |
Economic Profile
Governor: Larry Rhoden, Republican
Population: 935,094
GDP growth (Q1 2026): -1.60%
Unemployment rate (May 2026): 2.10%
Top corporate tax rate: None
Top individual income tax rate: None
Gasoline tax: 48.40 cents/gallon
Bond rating (Moody's/S&P): Aaa, Stable/AAA, Stable
Economic profile sources: U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federation of Tax Administrators, American Petroleum Institute (including 18.40 cent/gallon federal tax), Moody's Investor Service, S&P Global Market Intelligence
