Cook County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.5 | 5,639 people · 76th most distressed in Minnesota
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Cook County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.5 — 2977th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 76th of 87 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cook County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.4
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Economic Vitality 44.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 23.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 21
Legal Distress 19.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 13.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cook County
Cook County, MN 24.5 Healthy —
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +14.9
Lake County, MN 37.9 Normal +13.3
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal +11.4
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal +11.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cook County
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy 0.0
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy 0.0
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy +0.0
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy -0.0
Florence County, WI 24.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cook 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 Cook 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 Cook County, Minnesota?

    Cook County has a County Distress Index score of 24.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,977th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 76th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cook County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cook County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cook County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cook County (24.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Ashland County, WI (39.4); Lake County, MN (37.9); Ontonagon County, MI (35.9).

  • 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). Cook County's score of 24.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cook 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 Cook County?

    Cook County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 5,639 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.