Big Stone County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.8 | 5,105 people · 74th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Big Stone County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.8 — 2936th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 74th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Big Stone County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 56.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 56.2
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Housing Cost Burden 42.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 22
Economic Vitality 38.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Legal Distress 35.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 5.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Big Stone County
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy —
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +14.0
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +11.2
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy -1.5
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -4.3
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy -5.3
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy -7.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Big Stone County
Antelope County, NE 25.8 Healthy -0.0
Bristol Bay Borough, AK 25.6 Healthy -0.2
Thayer County, NE 25.6 Healthy -0.2
Kearney County, NE 25.6 Healthy -0.2
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Big Stone County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Big Stone 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 Big Stone 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 Big Stone County, Minnesota?

    Big Stone County has a County Distress Index score of 25.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,936th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 74th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Big Stone County?

    The primary driver of distress in Big Stone County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 56.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Big Stone County compare to neighboring counties?

    Big Stone County (25.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Roberts County, SD (39.8); Swift County, MN (36.9); Lac qui Parle County, MN (24.3).

  • 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). Big Stone County's score of 25.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Big Stone County's CDI score?

    Big Stone 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 Big Stone County?

    Big Stone County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 5,105 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.