Crow Wing County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.9 | 68,304 people · 30th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Crow Wing County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.9 — 2478th 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 30th of 87 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Crow Wing County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 79.5 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 79.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 79
Housing Cost Burden 55.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 33
Structural Poverty 44.7
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 46
Transfer Income Dependency 61
Economic Vitality 40.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Consumer Credit Distress 14.6
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Crow Wing County
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy —
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +7.2
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy -1.4
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy -2.3
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy -9.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Crow Wing County
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy -0.0
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy -0.0
Cache County, UT 35.1 Normal +0.2
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy -0.2
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Crow Wing County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Crow Wing County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Crow Wing County.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
BRAINERD
888-577-2227 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingReverse Mortgage

See all counselors in Minnesota →

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 Crow Wing 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Minnesota →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Crow Wing County, Minnesota?

    Crow Wing County has a County Distress Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,478th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Crow Wing County?

    The primary driver of distress in Crow Wing County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 79.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Crow Wing County compare to neighboring counties?

    Crow Wing County (34.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1); Cass County, MN (33.5); Aitkin County, MN (32.6).

  • 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). Crow Wing County's score of 34.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Crow Wing County's CDI score?

    Crow Wing 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 Crow Wing County?

    Crow Wing County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 68,304 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.