Box Elder: Economy & Jobs
Median household income in Box Elder is $73,008 (about the same as Pennington County median $74,517; about the same as South Dakota median $75,081), with homes at a median value of $302,100. The surrounding county supports 8,600 jobs (avg $57,255).
- $69,861 avg taxable income per return — similar than the median household income (vs South Dakota $85,411).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $73,008 — near the South Dakota median ($70,870). Poverty rate 7.5% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 4.1× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 24.5% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | moderate |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $15,240 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $1,064,685 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $69,861 (vs South Dakota $85,411) |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $83,980 |
| Median Household Income | $73,008 (vs South Dakota $70,870) |
| Poverty Rate | 7.5% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $73,008 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 3.1% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 7% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 20.10 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 6.9% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 8,600 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $492,412,789 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $57,255 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 444,400 |
| Unemployment Rate | 3.1% (vs South Dakota 1.9%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 237 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 163,706 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 690.70 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Animal Totals, Cattle, Crop Totals, Grain, Field Crops, Other |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 798 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 6,542 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 385,118 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 5 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 14 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Beauty Salons | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Grooming | 5 |
| Local Businesses · Auto Repair | 12 |
| Local Businesses · Real Estate Offices | 17 |
| Local Businesses · Commercial Banks | 5 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 12 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 14 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 10 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (5)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Dollar General 30314 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 7 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | BOX ELDER AREA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $834,929,204 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 27,968.95 (vs South Dakota $7,072) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 29,852 people (vs South Dakota 15,649) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 75.8% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 2.0% |
| Pct Walked | 6.9% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 28.8 years (vs South Dakota 36.4y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 17.3% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 2 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12