Dakota County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.1 | 447,440 people · 25th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Dakota County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.1 — 2417th 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 25th of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dakota County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 78.3 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 78.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 78
Housing Cost Burden 77.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 87
Homeownership Rate 45
Economic Vitality 57.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Consumer Credit Distress 13.4
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 21
Structural Poverty 10.8
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dakota County
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal —
Ramsey County, MN 47.6 Normal +11.5
Hennepin County, MN 37.5 Normal +1.4
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy -1.4
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy -3.0
Washington County, MN 31.7 Healthy -4.4
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy -6.9
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy -7.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dakota County
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal -0.0
Utah County, UT 36.5 Normal +0.4
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal -0.4
Norfolk County, MA 35.3 Normal -0.8
McHenry County, IL 37.1 Normal +1.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dakota County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Dakota County.

DAKOTA COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Eagan
651-675-4400 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Dakota 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 Dakota County, Minnesota?

    Dakota County has a County Distress Index score of 36.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,417th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dakota County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dakota County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 78.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Dakota County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dakota County (36.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Ramsey County, MN (47.6); Hennepin County, MN (37.5); Rice County, MN (34.7).

  • 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). Dakota County's score of 36.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Dakota 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 Dakota County?

    Dakota County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 447,440 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.