Cass County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.5 | 31,446 people · 35th most distressed in Minnesota
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Cass County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.5 — 2563rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Minnesota, it ranks 35th of 87 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cass County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 71.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 71.9
Unemployment Rate 99
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 46
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Economic Vitality 46.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 49
House Price Change (YoY) 15
Legal Distress 38.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Housing Cost Burden 35.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 4
Consumer Credit Distress 18.5
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 41
Subprime Credit Population 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy —
Beltrami County, MN 45.4 Normal +11.9
Wadena County, MN 41.7 Normal +8.2
Itasca County, MN 40.4 Normal +6.9
Hubbard County, MN 36.4 Normal +2.9
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy +1.4
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy -0.9
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy -1.5
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy -8.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy +0.0
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy +0.1
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy -0.1
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cass 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 Cass 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 Cass County, Minnesota?

    Cass County has a County Distress Index score of 33.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,563rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cass County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cass County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 71.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cass County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cass County (33.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Beltrami County, MN (45.4); Wadena County, MN (41.7); Itasca County, MN (40.4).

  • 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). Cass County's score of 33.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cass 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 Cass County?

    Cass County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 31,446 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.