Fillmore County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.2 | 21,522 people · 67th most distressed in Minnesota
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Fillmore County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.2 — 2885th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Minnesota, it ranks 67th of 87 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fillmore County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 55.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 55.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Structural Poverty 36.7
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Legal Distress 35.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Housing Cost Burden 33.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 9
Consumer Credit Distress 14.8
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fillmore County
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +14.4
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +5.0
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy +2.8
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -1.3
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy -8.9
Winneshiek County, IA 16.2 Healthy -10.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fillmore County
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy +0.0
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Emmet County, MI 27.1 Healthy -0.1
Millard County, UT 27.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fillmore 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 Fillmore 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 Fillmore County, Minnesota?

    Fillmore County has a County Distress Index score of 27.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,885th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 67th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fillmore County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fillmore County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 55.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Fillmore County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fillmore County (27.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Winona County, MN (32.1); Olmsted County, MN (30.0).

  • 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). Fillmore County's score of 27.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Fillmore 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 Fillmore County?

    Fillmore County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 21,522 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.