Freeborn County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.4 | 30,515 people · 14th most distressed in Minnesota
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Freeborn County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.4 — 2224th 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 14th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Freeborn County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Housing Cost Burden 51.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 22
Structural Poverty 47.0
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 69
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Economic Vitality 34.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 41
Consumer Credit Distress 28.4
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 51
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Freeborn County
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +2.1
Steele County, MN 38.5 Normal -0.9
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal -3.6
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy -7.5
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -9.0
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy -16.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Freeborn County
Clinton County, MO 39.4 Normal 0.0
Lake County, MT 39.4 Normal 0.0
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal -0.0
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal -0.0
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Freeborn 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 Freeborn 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 Freeborn County, Minnesota?

    Freeborn County has a County Distress Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,224th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Freeborn County?

    The primary driver of distress in Freeborn County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Freeborn County compare to neighboring counties?

    Freeborn County (39.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Steele County, MN (38.5); Faribault County, MN (35.9).

  • 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). Freeborn County's score of 39.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Freeborn 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 Freeborn County?

    Freeborn County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 30,515 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.