Kanabec County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.2 | 16,602 people · 15th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Kanabec County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.2 — 2240th 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 15th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kanabec County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 91.7 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 91.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 92
Structural Poverty 52.8
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 34.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Housing Cost Burden 33.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 17
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 30.8
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 63
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kanabec County
Kanabec County, MN 39.2 Normal —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +6.6
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal +4.4
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +2.9
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal -1.0
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy -6.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kanabec County
Trinity County, CA 39.2 Normal -0.0
Franklin County, ME 39.2 Normal -0.0
Wyoming County, PA 39.3 Normal +0.1
Jasper County, IN 39.3 Normal +0.1
Dare County, NC 39.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kanabec 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 Kanabec 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 Kanabec County, Minnesota?

    Kanabec County has a County Distress Index score of 39.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,240th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kanabec County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kanabec County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 91.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Kanabec County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kanabec County (39.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); Isanti County, MN (43.6); Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1).

  • 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). Kanabec County's score of 39.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kanabec 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 Kanabec County?

    Kanabec County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 16,602 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.