Counties with the highest STI rates in South Dakota

Written by:
March 18, 2024
Canva

Counties with the highest STI rates in South Dakota

Sexually transmitted infections are on the rise, putting more people at risk as they spread. Chlamydia rates have nearly doubled since 2000, while the rate of gonorrhea went up by 50% over the same period. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that syphilis rates are reaching levels last seen in the 1950s.

But some regions of the U.S. are seeing higher rates than others.

Stacker used CDC data to look at which counties reported the highest rate of sexually transmitted infections in South Dakota. Counties are ranked by the rate of chlamydia infections, the most prominent STI at the national level, with gonorrhea and then syphilis rates serving as tiebreakers. This story focuses on bacterial infections, which can be cured, rather than viral infections such as HIV and herpes. At the county level, 2021 cases are the most recent available from the CDC, but state and national-level data for 2022 are also included. This story focuses on sexual transmissions and does not include congenital syphilis cases that were inherited from the mother.

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent the spread of STIs for people with multiple sexual partners, but research has found a decreasing rate of condom use among straight, bisexual, and gay male populations.

During the HIV/AIDS epidemic throughout the 1980s and 1990s, public health efforts advocating for condom use helped curb the spread of the virus. Today, however, condoms are no longer the only tool. Pills such as PrEP lower the risk of contracting HIV from sex by as much as 99%.

While more recent data is not available, the latest CDC survey from 2011-2015 showed less than half of unmarried men used condoms during the last time they had sex.

Among high school students having sex, the share using condoms has fallen from 60% in 2011 to 52% in 2021. While one-third of sexually active students used hormonal birth control, only 10% used both condoms and birth control. Methods like the pill and IUDs are effective at preventing pregnancy but do not stop the spread of STIs.

Chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis are technically bacterial infections—meaning they can be cured with antibiotics—but they can still have lasting health impacts, including pelvic inflammatory disease and infertility. These risks are heightened when left untreated, which many STIs are as they don't obviously present themselves.

The CDC recommends annual testing for cisgender women, transgender men, and gender-nonconforming people with cervixes. It also recommends annual testing for males with male sexual partners. People in these groups who frequently have sex with anonymous partners should be tested every three to six months. Anyone with symptoms should always get tested according to the guidelines.

The CDC says there is little evidence that screening among straight men lowers the spread, and the agency's limited budget is put towards programs benefiting the most at-risk groups. However, some public health groups advocate for testing among all people regardless of sex and sexual orientation.

Data from the National Survey of Family Growth shows men on average have more opposite-sex sexual partners than women, and some argue that catching STIs throughout a sexual network rather than just for the most at-risk groups could curb their spread.

Soon, a pill may also help counter the spread of STIs. DoxyPEP can be taken 24 to 72 hours after unprotected sex and stops an STI before it becomes spreadable and symptomatic. The CDC has shared proposed guidelines recommending it for men who have sex with men and transgender women. The drug was originally approved for treating inhalation of anthrax, and doctors can prescribe it for off-label use.

Read on to see how STI infection rates in South Dakota compare nationally, and the top counties.

1 / 51
Emma Rubin // Stacker

State-level statistics

- Chlamydia cases: 567.1 per 100K (#10 nationally, 5,160 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 337.1 per 100K (#2 nationally, 3,067 cases)
- Primary and secondary syphilis cases: 84.3 per 100K (#1 nationally, 767 cases)
2 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#50. Perkins County

- Chlamydia cases: 141.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
3 / 51
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#49. Deuel County

- Chlamydia cases: 163.9 per 100K people (7 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 23.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 23.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
4 / 51
vagabond54 // Shutterstock

#48. Day County

- Chlamydia cases: 166.2 per 100K people (9 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 55.4 per 100K people (3 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 18.5 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 18.5 per 100K people (1 case)
5 / 51
Canva

#47. Miner County

- Chlamydia cases: 172.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
6 / 51
Canva

#46. Kingsbury County

- Chlamydia cases: 192.6 per 100K people (10 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 38.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
7 / 51
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#45. Hand County

- Chlamydia cases: 193.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 32.3 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
8 / 51
Bennekom // Shutterstock

#44. Bon Homme County

- Chlamydia cases: 199.6 per 100K people (14 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 28.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 14.3 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 14.3 per 100K people (1 case)
9 / 51
Sabrina Janelle Gordon // Shutterstock

#43. Union County

- Chlamydia cases: 201.5 per 100K people (34 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 88.9 per 100K people (15 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
10 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#42. Potter County

- Chlamydia cases: 202.0 per 100K people (5 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
11 / 51
Canva

#41. Sanborn County

- Chlamydia cases: 210.3 per 100K people (5 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 42.1 per 100K people (1 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
12 / 51
melissamn // Shutterstock

#40. Aurora County

- Chlamydia cases: 218.3 per 100K people (6 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 72.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 36.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 36.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
13 / 51
Canva

#39. Lake County

- Chlamydia cases: 221.2 per 100K people (24 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 46.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
14 / 51
Canva

#38. Jones County

- Chlamydia cases: 227.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 568.8 per 100K people (5 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 227.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 227.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
15 / 51
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#37. Marshall County

- Chlamydia cases: 232.3 per 100K people (10 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 46.5 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
16 / 51
SevenMaps // Shutterstock

#36. Hanson County

- Chlamydia cases: 256.8 per 100K people (9 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
17 / 51
Patrick Ziegler // Shutterstock

#35. Mccook County

- Chlamydia cases: 263.4 per 100K people (15 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 0 cases
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 17.6 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 17.6 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
18 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#34. Turner County

- Chlamydia cases: 264.1 per 100K people (23 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 23.0 per 100K people (2 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
19 / 51
Canva

#33. Lincoln County

- Chlamydia cases: 268.2 per 100K people (182 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 82.5 per 100K people (56 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 5.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 2.9 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 2.9 per 100K people (2 cases)
20 / 51
Canva

#32. Beadle County

- Chlamydia cases: 277.2 per 100K people (53 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 68.0 per 100K people (13 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 5.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 5.2 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
21 / 51
Canva

#31. Butte County

- Chlamydia cases: 315.6 per 100K people (33 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 95.6 per 100K people (10 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 28.7 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 28.7 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
22 / 51
Canva

#30. Codington County

- Chlamydia cases: 320.1 per 100K people (91 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 87.9 per 100K people (25 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 14.1 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 3.5 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.6 per 100K people (3 cases)
23 / 51
Canva

#29. Hughes County

- Chlamydia cases: 333.4 per 100K people (59 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 293.9 per 100K people (52 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 96.1 per 100K people (17 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 50.9 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 45.2 per 100K people (8 cases)
24 / 51
Canva

#28. Meade County

- Chlamydia cases: 351.3 per 100K people (106 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 96.1 per 100K people (29 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 33.1 per 100K people (10 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 23.2 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.9 per 100K people (3 cases)
25 / 51
Canva

#27. Lawrence County

- Chlamydia cases: 359.3 per 100K people (94 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 118.5 per 100K people (31 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 22.9 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 15.3 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 7.6 per 100K people (2 cases)
26 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#26. Brown County

- Chlamydia cases: 364.8 per 100K people (139 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 68.2 per 100K people (26 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 10.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 2.6 per 100K people (1 case)
27 / 51
Canva

#25. Fall River County

- Chlamydia cases: 374.9 per 100K people (27 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 125.0 per 100K people (9 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 55.5 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 13.9 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 41.7 per 100K people (3 cases)
28 / 51
Canva

#24. Haakon County

- Chlamydia cases: 381.5 per 100K people (7 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 163.5 per 100K people (3 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
29 / 51
Canva

#23. Stanley County

- Chlamydia cases: 395.8 per 100K people (12 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 131.9 per 100K people (4 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 33.0 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 33.0 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
30 / 51
Canva

#22. Yankton County

- Chlamydia cases: 399.2 per 100K people (93 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 141.6 per 100K people (33 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 25.8 per 100K people (6 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 17.2 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 8.6 per 100K people (2 cases)
31 / 51
J K Laws // Shutterstock

#21. Davison County

- Chlamydia cases: 402.5 per 100K people (80 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 145.9 per 100K people (29 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 10.1 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 10.1 per 100K people (2 cases)
32 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#20. Moody County

- Chlamydia cases: 443.4 per 100K people (28 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 142.5 per 100K people (9 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
33 / 51
Canva

#19. Brule County

- Chlamydia cases: 457.8 per 100K people (24 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 610.5 per 100K people (32 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 133.5 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 57.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 76.3 per 100K people (4 cases)
34 / 51
Canva

#18. Brookings County

- Chlamydia cases: 513.9 per 100K people (178 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 89.5 per 100K people (31 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
35 / 51
Canva

#17. Walworth County

- Chlamydia cases: 533.5 per 100K people (28 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 552.6 per 100K people (29 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
36 / 51
Canva

#16. Clay County

- Chlamydia cases: 567.7 per 100K people (86 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 52.8 per 100K people (8 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 13.2 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 6.6 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 6.6 per 100K people (1 case)
37 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#15. Tripp County

- Chlamydia cases: 610.5 per 100K people (34 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 448.9 per 100K people (25 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 197.5 per 100K people (11 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 53.9 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 143.7 per 100K people (8 cases)
38 / 51
Steven Frame // Shutterstock

#14. Minnehaha County

- Chlamydia cases: 627.5 per 100K people (1,253 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 439.2 per 100K people (877 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 73.6 per 100K people (147 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 46.1 per 100K people (92 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 27.5 per 100K people (55 cases)
39 / 51
Canva

#13. Roberts County

- Chlamydia cases: 698.6 per 100K people (71 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 285.3 per 100K people (29 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 29.5 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 19.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 9.8 per 100K people (1 case)
40 / 51
Canva

#12. Lyman County

- Chlamydia cases: 770.5 per 100K people (29 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 956.4 per 100K people (36 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 79.7 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 53.1 per 100K people (2 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 26.6 per 100K people (1 case)
41 / 51
Canva

#11. Pennington County

- Chlamydia cases: 794.2 per 100K people (888 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 751.3 per 100K people (840 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 189.6 per 100K people (212 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 102.9 per 100K people (115 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 86.8 per 100K people (97 cases)
42 / 51
Canva

#10. Charles Mix County

- Chlamydia cases: 851.2 per 100K people (78 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 578.4 per 100K people (53 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 98.2 per 100K people (9 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 76.4 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 21.8 per 100K people (2 cases)
43 / 51
Jacob Boomsma // Shutterstock

#9. Corson County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,007.2 per 100K people (39 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,058.9 per 100K people (41 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 77.5 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 25.8 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 51.7 per 100K people (2 cases)
44 / 51
davidrh // Shutterstock

#8. Ziebach County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,008.4 per 100K people (24 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 882.4 per 100K people (21 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 0 cases
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
45 / 51
vagabond54 // Shutterstock

#7. Bennett County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,203.8 per 100K people (41 case)
- Gonorrhea cases: 998.2 per 100K people (34 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 29.4 per 100K people (1 case)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 0 cases
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 29.4 per 100K people (1 case)
46 / 51
Canva

#6. Jackson County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,216.1 per 100K people (35 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,111.9 per 100K people (32 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 104.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 104.2 per 100K people (3 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 0 cases
47 / 51
Canva

#5. Mellette County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,362.7 per 100K people (26 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,100.6 per 100K people (21 case)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 628.9 per 100K people (12 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 262.1 per 100K people (5 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 366.9 per 100K people (7 cases)
48 / 51
Canva

#4. Buffalo County

- Chlamydia cases: 1,768.1 per 100K people (34 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,768.1 per 100K people (34 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 364.0 per 100K people (7 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 208.0 per 100K people (4 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 156.0 per 100K people (3 cases)
49 / 51
Canva

#3. Dewey County

- Chlamydia cases: 2,096.8 per 100K people (110 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 1,772.8 per 100K people (93 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 457.5 per 100K people (24 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 266.9 per 100K people (14 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 190.6 per 100K people (10 cases)
50 / 51
Canva

#2. Oglala Lakota County

- Chlamydia cases: 2,252.3 per 100K people (306 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 2,303.8 per 100K people (313 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 456.4 per 100K people (62 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 235.5 per 100K people (32 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 220.8 per 100K people (30 cases)
51 / 51
thierry dehove // Shutterstock

#1. Todd County

- Chlamydia cases: 3,467.6 per 100K people (322 cases)
- Gonorrhea cases: 3,467.6 per 100K people (322 cases)
- Syphilis cases (non-congenital): 2,218.4 per 100K people (206 cases)
--- Primary and secondary syphilis: 1,130.7 per 100K people (105 cases)
--- Nonprimary and nonsecondary early syphilis: 1,087.7 per 100K people (101 case)

This story features data reporting and writing by Emma Rubin and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.

Trending Now