Grant County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.3 | 6,139 people · 48th most distressed in Minnesota
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Grant County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.3 — 2686th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 48th 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. Grant County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 47.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 47.6
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 45
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Legal Distress 43.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Housing Cost Burden 39.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 48
Homeownership Rate 24
Economic Vitality 28.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Consumer Credit Distress 21.5
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy —
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy +2.5
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy -0.7
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy -4.5
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy -8.7
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -9.7
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy -13.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy 0.0
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy -0.0
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy +0.0
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County, Minnesota?

    Grant County has a County Distress Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,686th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grant County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grant County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 47.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Grant County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grant County (31.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pope County, MN (33.7); Wilkin County, MN (30.6); Otter Tail County, MN (26.8).

  • 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). Grant County's score of 31.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Grant 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 Grant County?

    Grant County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 6,139 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.