An aging population, compounded by a poor farming economy and multiple natural disasters, made South Dakota one of the bigger "winners" in federal support last year, receiving a total of almost $5 billion—or about $6,700 for each state resident. About 40 percent of payments came from Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid programs, while another 30 percent came from various farm support programs.
Other reports show that South Dakota is typically a net recipient of federal largesse. According to a 1998 report, South Dakota received $1.36 from the federal government for every $1 it sends to Washington. South Dakota ranked 12th in a Harvard University study in net federal support per capita, but ranked below North Dakota (fourth) and Montana (fifth) among Ninth District states.
