Chippewa County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 35.0 | 12,172 people · 29th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Chippewa County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 35.0 — 2477th 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 29th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chippewa County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 68.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 68.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 65
Structural Poverty 50.1
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 61
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Legal Distress 35.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Economic Vitality 23.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Consumer Credit Distress 17.1
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Chippewa County
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy —
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +2.0
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy -1.2
Kandiyohi County, MN 31.9 Healthy -3.1
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy -10.7
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy -13.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chippewa County
Mackinac County, MI 35.0 Healthy +0.0
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy -0.0
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +0.0
Inyo County, CA 34.9 Healthy -0.1
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chippewa 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 Chippewa 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 Chippewa County, Minnesota?

    Chippewa County has a County Distress Index score of 35.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,477th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chippewa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Chippewa County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 68.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Chippewa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Chippewa County (35.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Swift County, MN (36.9); Renville County, MN (33.8); Kandiyohi County, MN (31.9).

  • 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). Chippewa County's score of 35.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Chippewa 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 Chippewa County?

    Chippewa County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 12,172 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.