Signature · 33.1% low-access (77th pct)

Hand County, SD

Hand County sits in the upper national band on low-access (33.1%, +11 pts vs U.S.), with SNAP/vehicle context from ACS 2024.

33.1%
low-access pop.
0
food-desert tracts
3.8%
on SNAP
3K
residents (ACS 2024)
USDA FARA 2019 Census ACS 2024 SD

USDA FARA access plate

County Hand County, SD

LA-ELEVATED · ABOVE-NATIONAL · LILA-NONE · SNAP-LIGHT · VEH-TYPICAL · DENSITY-CLEAR

  • LA-ELEVATED 33.1% low-access
  • ABOVE-NATIONAL +11.0 pts vs US
  • LILA-NONE 0 food-desert tracts
  • SNAP-LIGHT 3.8% SNAP
  • VEH-TYPICAL 7.3% no vehicle
  • DENSITY-CLEAR 0% tracts LILA

Nearest low-access peer: Clay County (+ 0.2 pts)

Upper-band low-access

Hand County sits in the upper national band (33.1%, #729 of 3,079).

#729
national by low-access %
#36
in SD
1
low-access tracts
313
food-desert residents

Upper-band counties often pair elevated low-access with clustered LILA tracts. Low access = >1 mile urban / >10 miles rural.

Signature read: 33.1% low-access (77th pct) (+11 pts vs U.S. low-access).

How Hand County compares nationally

Relative to the 3,133 U.S. counties with USDA food-access data, Hand County's 33.1% low-access share is elevated, higher than 77% of them and ranked #730 most-affected nationwide.

lower low-accesshigher low-access

Hand County's elevated USDA tier split

2 census tracts grouped by USDA classification .

Food access tier distribution for Hand County, SD USDA-defined food-access tiers: 1 census tracts adequate (within distance threshold), 1 limited, 0 severe (low-income low-access food desert). Total 2 tracts evaluated. 1 tracts adequate (50.0%) 1 tracts limited (50.0%) Adequate 50% Limited 50% Severe 0% Food-access tier distribution: Hand County, SD
Source: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas 2019

By USDA urbanicity classification, Hand County has 0 urban and 2 rural census tracts. The 1-mile (urban) vs 10-mile (rural) distance threshold above applies per tract, so a county's access rate reflects this mix.

Hand County vs nearby high low-access peers

Poles + nearest peers in South Dakota, not a full county-board reprint

% low-access
Source USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas As of 2019 edition

FARA 2019 · elevated low-access

USDA Food Access Research Atlas 2019 indicators for Hand County
IndicatorValue
Census Tracts2
Atlas Population (2010 basis)3,431
Low-Access Tracts1
Food-Desert Tracts (low-income & low-access)0
Low-Access Population1,136
Low-Access Share33.1%above the national average
Low-Income & Low-Access Population313

ACS 2024 · lower SNAP band

Census ACS 2024 demographic and SNAP data for Hand County
IndicatorValue
Population3,140
Median Household Income$74,635
Poverty Rate5.2%well below the national average
SNAP Households54
SNAP Participation Rate3.8%well below the national average
Households Without a Vehicle7.3%below the national average
Group-Quarters Population2.3%

Slim SNAP store book in Hand County

Hand County has 3 stores currently authorized to accept SNAP (EBT) benefits, across 2 store categories. Combination Grocery/Other lead with 2 locations (67% of the total), followed by super store.

Combination Grocery/Other · 2

  • dollar general 16295, miller
  • family dollar 13544, miller

Super Store · 1

  • kessler's 2101, miller

Source: USDA SNAP Retailer Locator (currently authorized stores, a live third population, not the 2019 Atlas or ACS 2024 snapshot above).

Other Counties in South Dakota

One of 65 counties in South Dakota, 6 are shown here.

Compare Hand County vs Aurora County → · All South Dakota counties →

Hand County inside a higher low-access state context

Hand County sits inside South Dakota (ringed). Each state is colored by population-weighted low-access; click any state to compare.

USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019), population-weighted · Census ACS 2024 context

Read with this county

Sources: USDA Economic Research Service, Food Access Research Atlas (2019) · U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 2024 5-Year Estimates · methodology · compiled .

PlainFoodAccess renders this county profile directly from the USDA Food Access Research Atlas (2019) and U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates), no number is typed in by an editor. Figures for Hand County, SD are computed from the joined Atlas and ACS records for FIPS 46059. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error. Data current as of 2026-06-23. Primary sources: USDA Food Access Research Atlas and Census ACS 5-year estimates.

Note: This page presents public USDA and Census data for informational purposes and is not professional advice. Figures reflect the cited dataset vintages and may differ from the most recent local conditions. How this data is sourced & verified.