Douglas County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.6 | 39,953 people · 80th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Douglas County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.6 — 3023rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Minnesota, it ranks 80th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Douglas County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 47.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 47.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 92
Homeownership Rate 39
Legal Distress 45.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Structural Poverty 28.6
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 34
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 17.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 4
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Consumer Credit Distress 6.4
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy —
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal +16.6
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy +11.2
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy +9.4
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +8.7
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy +4.2
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy -4.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy +0.1
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -0.1
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy +0.3
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy +0.3
Wyoming County, NY 22.9 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Douglas 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County, Minnesota?

    Douglas County has a County Distress Index score of 22.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,023rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 80th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Douglas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Douglas County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 47.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Douglas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Douglas County (22.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Stearns County, MN (39.1); Pope County, MN (33.7); Todd County, MN (32.0).

  • 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). Douglas County's score of 22.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Douglas 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 Douglas County?

    Douglas County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 39,953 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.