Carver County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.0 | 111,057 people · 81st most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Carver County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.0 — 3034th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 81st of 87 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carver County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 58.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 58.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Economic Vitality 50.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Housing Cost Burden 46.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 12
Structural Poverty 6.8
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1
Consumer Credit Distress 3.8
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 3
Credit Card Delinquency 1
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carver County
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy —
Hennepin County, MN 37.5 Normal +15.5
McLeod County, MN 30.9 Healthy +8.9
Wright County, MN 29.9 Healthy +7.9
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy +7.2
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy +4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carver County
Geauga County, OH 22.4 Healthy +0.4
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy -0.7
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy -1.0
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -1.3
Arlington County, VA 23.5 Healthy +1.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carver 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 Carver 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 Carver County, Minnesota?

    Carver County has a County Distress Index score of 22.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,034th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carver County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carver County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 58.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Carver County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carver County (22.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Hennepin County, MN (37.5); McLeod County, MN (30.9); Wright County, MN (29.9).

  • 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 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). Carver County's score of 22.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carver 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 Carver County?

    Carver County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 111,057 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.