Fewer South Dakotans are working or looking for work, state economic advisers say

If you've felt the pinch lately, the Governor's Council of Economic Advisors noticed. It met Thursday and described a mixed picture. The share of residents 16 or older working or looking for work fell to 66.3% in September, from 68.2% a year earlier.

State Economist Derek Johnson said unemployment is 2%. Sioux Falls council member Shawn Pritchett said sales tax collections were up through September, but “the consumer is feeling inflation more now, and they’re pulling back.”

• Job openings: at least three per unemployed person
• Visits from Canada: down about 35%, a Rapid City member said
• South Dakota farm payments: $1.1 billion in 2025, $1.8 billion in 2020

Farmers are in the mix, too. A recently announced $8 billion federal package targets high diesel costs, and the University of Illinois said it would push U.S. payments to farmers to a record if it comes to fruition. Commissioner Jim Terwilliger said “there’s some headwinds out there, no doubt about it,” but called the state “pretty resilient.”