Faribault County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 13,873 people · 26th most distressed in Minnesota
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Faribault County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2428th 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 26th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Faribault County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 69.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 69.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 70
Structural Poverty 54.7
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 71
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Economic Vitality 32.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Housing Cost Burden 31.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 27.9
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 49
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Faribault County
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +4.4
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +3.6
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal -0.3
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy -4.0
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -5.5
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -8.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Faribault County
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal +0.0
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal -0.1
Ottawa County, OH 35.8 Normal -0.1
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal -0.2
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Faribault 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 Faribault 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 Faribault County, Minnesota?

    Faribault County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,428th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Faribault County?

    The primary driver of distress in Faribault County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 69.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Faribault County compare to neighboring counties?

    Faribault County (35.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Freeborn County, MN (39.4); Martin County, MN (35.5).

  • 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). Faribault County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Faribault 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 Faribault County?

    Faribault County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 13,873 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.