Isanti County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.6 | 43,182 people · 5th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Isanti County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.6 — 1979th 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 5th 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. Isanti County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 91.4 — worse than roughly 91% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 91.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 91
Economic Vitality 78.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 97
Rent-to-Income Ratio 73
Business Formation Rate 49
House Price Change (YoY) 62
Housing Cost Burden 71.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 5
Structural Poverty 27.6
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Consumer Credit Distress 20.8
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Isanti County
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +2.2
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal -1.5
Kanabec County, MN 39.2 Normal -4.4
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal -5.3
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal -5.4
Sherburne County, MN 32.9 Healthy -10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Isanti County
Paulding County, OH 43.6 Normal +0.0
Delaware County, NY 43.6 Normal +0.0
Wabash County, IL 43.5 Normal -0.0
McKenzie County, ND 43.5 Normal -0.1
Ripley County, IN 43.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Isanti 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 Isanti 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 Isanti County, Minnesota?

    Isanti County has a County Distress Index score of 43.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,979th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Isanti County?

    The primary driver of distress in Isanti County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 91.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Isanti County compare to neighboring counties?

    Isanti County (43.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1); Kanabec County, MN (39.2).

  • 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 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). Isanti County's score of 43.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Isanti 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 Isanti County?

    Isanti County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 43,182 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.