Goodhue County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.4 | 48,035 people · 64th most distressed in Minnesota
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Goodhue County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.4 — 2830th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 64th of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Goodhue County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 63.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 63.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Housing Cost Burden 60.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 29
Economic Vitality 27.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Structural Poverty 20.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 9
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 10.2
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Goodhue County
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy —
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +7.7
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy +6.3
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy +4.7
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy +1.6
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy +1.1
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -2.3
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy -6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Goodhue County
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy -0.0
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy -0.0
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy +0.1
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy +0.1
Routt County, CO 28.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Goodhue County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Goodhue County.

THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.
Zumbrota
507-696-4025 Website
Pre-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 Goodhue 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 Goodhue County, Minnesota?

    Goodhue County has a County Distress Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,830th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Goodhue County?

    The primary driver of distress in Goodhue County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 63.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Goodhue County compare to neighboring counties?

    Goodhue County (28.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Dakota County, MN (36.1); Rice County, MN (34.7); Pierce County, WI (33.1).

  • 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). Goodhue County's score of 28.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Goodhue 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 Goodhue County?

    Goodhue County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 48,035 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.