South Dakota is a large state comprised mostly of rural communities. It is the fifth least densely populous state in the country, carrying a population of 833,354 as of 2012. Agricultural production in South Dakota is high, which allows for abundant work in farming and ranching. This state also has a thriving array of tourist attractions that create jobs from border to border. The average worker in South Dakota earns a little over $36,000 a year. That is plenty sufficient for SD because the standard of living here is lower than most.