Blue Earth County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.2 | 70,006 people · 12th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Blue Earth County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.2 — 2180th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Minnesota, it ranks 12th of 87 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Blue Earth County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 81.3 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 81.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 76
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 82
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 90
Legal Distress 54.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 51.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Structural Poverty 37.0
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 66
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Consumer Credit Distress 17.5
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Blue Earth County
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal —
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal -4.4
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal -4.7
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy -7.8
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -9.9
Brown County, MN 29.2 Healthy -11.0
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy -11.3
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy -13.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Blue Earth County
Deschutes County, OR 40.3 Normal +0.0
Tompkins County, NY 40.4 Normal +0.2
Skagit County, WA 40.0 Normal -0.2
Clallam County, WA 40.5 Normal +0.3
Missoula County, MT 40.5 Normal +0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Blue Earth County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Blue Earth County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Blue Earth County.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
MANKATO
218-529-2227 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseReverse Mortgage
SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP MANKATO BRANCH
Mankato
507-836-1605 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Minnesota →

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 Blue Earth 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Minnesota →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Blue Earth County, Minnesota?

    Blue Earth County has a County Distress Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,180th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Blue Earth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Blue Earth County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 81.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Blue Earth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Blue Earth County (40.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Faribault County, MN (35.9); Martin County, MN (35.5); Le Sueur County, MN (32.5).

  • 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 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). Blue Earth County's score of 40.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Blue Earth County's CDI score?

    Blue Earth 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 Blue Earth County?

    Blue Earth County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 70,006 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.