Aitkin County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.6 | 16,102 people · 40th most distressed in Minnesota
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Aitkin County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.6 — 2606th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Minnesota, it ranks 40th of 87 counties. It scores lower than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Aitkin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 73.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 73.6
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Legal Distress 65.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Economic Vitality 48.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Housing Cost Burden 41.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 46
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 8.5
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 5

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Aitkin County
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +13.1
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +9.5
St. Louis County, MN 41.5 Normal +8.9
Itasca County, MN 40.4 Normal +7.8
Kanabec County, MN 39.2 Normal +6.6
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy +2.3
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy +0.9
Carlton County, MN 32.8 Healthy +0.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Aitkin County
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy 0.0
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy -0.0
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy -0.1
Morrow County, OR 32.7 Healthy +0.1
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Aitkin County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Aitkin County

Find an Attorney

Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Minnesota State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 612-278-6333

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Aitkin County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Society of Minneapolis 612-334-5970
Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid 612-332-1441
Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services 1-888-575-2954
Central Minnesota Legal Services, Inc. (612) 334-5970
Legal Aid Service of Northeastern Minnesota (800) 933-1112
Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota Corporation (800) 450-8585

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Aitkin County, Minnesota?

    Aitkin County has a County Distress Index score of 32.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,606th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Aitkin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Aitkin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 73.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Aitkin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Aitkin County (32.6) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1); St. Louis County, MN (41.5).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Healthy zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). Aitkin County's score of 32.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Aitkin County's CDI score?

    Aitkin County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of Aitkin County?

    Aitkin County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 16,102 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.