Houston County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.9 | 18,582 people · 73rd most distressed in Minnesota
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Houston County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.9 — 2935th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Minnesota, it ranks 73rd of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Houston County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 62.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 62.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 78
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 62
Housing Cost Burden 54.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 46
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 5
Structural Poverty 24.2
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Legal Distress 22.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 6.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Houston County
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy —
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy +7.5
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +6.2
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy +1.3
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy +1.0
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy +0.8
Winneshiek County, IA 16.2 Healthy -9.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Houston County
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy +0.1
Wasatch County, UT 26.0 Healthy +0.1
Boundary County, ID 25.7 Healthy -0.1
McPherson County, KS 25.7 Healthy -0.2
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Houston 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 Houston 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 Houston County, Minnesota?

    Houston County has a County Distress Index score of 25.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,935th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Houston County?

    The primary driver of distress in Houston County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 62.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Houston County compare to neighboring counties?

    Houston County (25.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: La Crosse County, WI (33.4); Winona County, MN (32.1); Fillmore County, MN (27.2).

  • 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). Houston County's score of 25.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Houston 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 Houston County?

    Houston County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 18,582 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.