Itasca County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.4 | 45,365 people · 11th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Itasca County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.4 — 2168th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Minnesota, it ranks 11th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Itasca County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 80.1 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 80.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 96
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 11
Structural Poverty 66.9
Unemployment Rate 97
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 71
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 78
Legal Distress 52.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Economic Vitality 44.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 11.6
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Itasca County
Itasca County, MN 40.4 Normal —
Beltrami County, MN 45.4 Normal +5.0
St. Louis County, MN 41.5 Normal +1.1
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy -6.9
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy -7.8
Koochiching County, MN 29.9 Healthy -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Itasca County
Nodaway County, MO 40.4 Normal -0.0
Plumas County, CA 40.4 Normal +0.0
Wetzel County, WV 40.5 Normal +0.1
Menominee County, MI 40.3 Normal -0.1
Mineral County, WV 40.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Itasca County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Itasca County.

KOOTASCA COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.
Grand Rapids
218-999-0800x0828 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 Itasca 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 Itasca County, Minnesota?

    Itasca County has a County Distress Index score of 40.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,168th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Itasca County?

    The primary driver of distress in Itasca County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 80.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Itasca County compare to neighboring counties?

    Itasca County (40.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Beltrami County, MN (45.4); St. Louis County, MN (41.5); Cass County, MN (33.5).

  • 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). Itasca County's score of 40.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Itasca 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 Itasca County?

    Itasca County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 45,365 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.