Chisago County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.2 | 58,535 people · 18th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Chisago County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.2 — 2297th 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 18th of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Chisago County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 81.4 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 81.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 81
Housing Cost Burden 75.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 90
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 3
Economic Vitality 74.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 66
Structural Poverty 20.0
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 22
Consumer Credit Distress 12.1
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Chisago County
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +7.5
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal +5.3
Kanabec County, MN 39.2 Normal +1.0
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal -0.1
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy -4.6
Washington County, MN 31.7 Healthy -6.5
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy -8.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Chisago County
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal -0.0
Christian County, MO 38.2 Normal -0.0
Garfield County, CO 38.3 Normal +0.0
York County, VA 38.2 Normal -0.1
Flathead County, MT 38.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Chisago 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 Chisago 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 Chisago County, Minnesota?

    Chisago County has a County Distress Index score of 38.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,297th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Chisago County?

    The primary driver of distress in Chisago County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 81.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Chisago County compare to neighboring counties?

    Chisago County (38.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); Isanti County, MN (43.6); Kanabec County, MN (39.2).

  • 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). Chisago County's score of 38.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Chisago 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 Chisago County?

    Chisago County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 58,535 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.