South Dakota ranks 26th of 50 in the 2026 Federalism Scorecard, with a score of 12.50.
South Dakota Rankings at a Glance
Rank: 26th of 50
Score: 12.50
2025: 45th, -3.69
Change: up 19 places, +16.19 points
National median: 12.88
Enacted a REINS-style legislative-oversight law in 2025, one of six states to newly cross that threshold this edition.
How South Dakota Compares to Its Neighbors
South Dakota's 6 bordering states are Iowa (36th, 2.70), Minnesota (34th, 5.00), Montana (47th, -14.00), Nebraska (17th, 17.50), North Dakota (14th, 24.75), Wyoming (20th, 16.30), averaging 8.71.
