Clay County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.0 | 66,258 people · 6th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Clay County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.0 — 2016th 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 6th of 87 counties. It scores higher than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clay County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 89.4 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 89.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 92
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 93
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 81
Economic Vitality 43.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Legal Distress 43.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Structural Poverty 36.8
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 31
Consumer Credit Distress 22.8
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 21
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal —
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal -7.7
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal -7.8
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy -9.2
Becker County, MN 30.7 Healthy -12.3
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy -12.4
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy -16.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clay County
Stafford County, VA 43.0 Normal +0.0
Wilson County, TN 42.9 Normal -0.1
Burnet County, TX 43.0 Normal +0.1
Leavenworth County, KS 43.1 Normal +0.1
Loudon County, TN 43.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clay 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 Clay 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 Clay County, Minnesota?

    Clay County has a County Distress Index score of 43.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,016th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clay County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clay County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 89.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Clay County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clay County (43.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Richland County, ND (35.3); Norman County, MN (35.1); Cass County, ND (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 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). Clay County's score of 43.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Clay 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 Clay County?

    Clay County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 66,258 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.