Brown County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.2 | 25,628 people · 59th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Brown County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.2 — 2795th 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 59th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brown County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 72.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 72.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Housing Cost Burden 61.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 22
Structural Poverty 31.1
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Economic Vitality 26.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Consumer Credit Distress 7.4
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Brown County, MN 29.2 Healthy —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +11.0
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +4.6
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +4.5
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy +3.7
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy -0.3
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy -2.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Oneida County, WI 29.2 Healthy +0.0
Henry County, IL 29.3 Healthy +0.1
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy -0.1
Dukes County, MA 29.3 Healthy +0.1
Juab County, UT 29.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brown 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 Brown 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 Brown County, Minnesota?

    Brown County has a County Distress Index score of 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,795th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brown County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 72.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Brown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brown County (29.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Renville County, MN (33.8); Cottonwood County, MN (33.7).

  • 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). Brown County's score of 29.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brown 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 Brown County?

    Brown County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 25,628 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.