Cottonwood County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 11,319 people · 33rd most distressed in Minnesota
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Cottonwood County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2540th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 33rd 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. Cottonwood County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 62.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 62.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Structural Poverty 49.7
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 32
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Economic Vitality 43.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Consumer Credit Distress 26.4
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 34
Housing Cost Burden 25.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 41

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cottonwood County
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy —
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy -0.8
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy -1.2
Brown County, MN 29.2 Healthy -4.5
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy -6.6
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -7.7
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -15.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cottonwood County
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy 0.0
Stewart County, TN 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy +0.0
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood County, Minnesota?

    Cottonwood County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,540th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cottonwood County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cottonwood County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 62.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Cottonwood County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cottonwood County (33.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Redwood County, MN (32.9); Nobles County, MN (32.5); Brown County, MN (29.2).

  • 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 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). Cottonwood County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cottonwood 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 Cottonwood County?

    Cottonwood County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 11,319 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.