Jackson County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.1 | 9,919 people · 71st most distressed in Minnesota
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Jackson County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.1 — 2930th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Minnesota, it ranks 71st of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jackson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 41.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 41.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Economic Vitality 35.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Structural Poverty 33.8
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Housing Cost Burden 30.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 13
Consumer Credit Distress 17.4
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy —
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal +9.5
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy +7.9
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +7.7
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy +6.5
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy +1.7
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy +1.1
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Chase County, NE 26.0 Healthy -0.0
Wayne County, UT 26.0 Healthy -0.0
Grant County, NE 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Jones County, SD 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Ellsworth County, KS 26.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jackson 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 Jackson 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 Jackson County, Minnesota?

    Jackson County has a County Distress Index score of 26.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,930th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jackson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jackson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 41.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Jackson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jackson County (26.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Martin County, MN (35.5); Emmet County, IA (33.9); Cottonwood County, MN (33.7).

  • 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). Jackson County's score of 26.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jackson 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 Jackson County?

    Jackson County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 9,919 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.