Benton County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.6 | 41,600 people · 13th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Benton County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.6 — 2213th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Minnesota, it ranks 13th of 87 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Benton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 76.9 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 76.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 77
Economic Vitality 50.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Housing Cost Burden 50.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 88
Homeownership Rate 78
Structural Poverty 40.5
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 30
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 27
Consumer Credit Distress 26.4
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 35

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Benton County
Benton County, MN 39.6 Normal —
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +2.5
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal -0.5
Sherburne County, MN 32.9 Healthy -6.7
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy -14.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Benton County
Defiance County, OH 39.6 Normal 0.0
Douglas County, WA 39.7 Normal +0.0
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal +0.0
Caledonia County, VT 39.6 Normal -0.0
Jerome County, ID 39.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Benton 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 Benton 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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Benton County has a County Distress Index score of 39.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,213th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Benton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Benton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 76.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Benton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Benton County (39.6) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1); Stearns County, MN (39.1); Sherburne County, MN (32.9).

  • 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 Normal 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). Benton County's score of 39.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Benton 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 Benton County?

    Benton County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 41,600 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.