Kandiyohi County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.9 | 43,813 people · 45th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Kandiyohi County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.9 — 2658th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 45th 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. Kandiyohi County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.5
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Housing Cost Burden 44.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 61
Legal Distress 38.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Economic Vitality 33.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 90
Consumer Credit Distress 20.8
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kandiyohi County
Kandiyohi County, MN 31.9 Healthy —
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal +7.3
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +5.1
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy +3.1
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +1.9
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy +1.9
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy -2.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kandiyohi County
Teton County, ID 31.9 Healthy +0.0
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy -0.0
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +0.0
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy +0.1
Grand County, CO 31.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kandiyohi County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kandiyohi County.

LUTHERAN SOCIAL SERVICE OF MINNESOTA
WILLMAR
888-577-2227 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingReverse Mortgage

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 Kandiyohi 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 Kandiyohi County, Minnesota?

    Kandiyohi County has a County Distress Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,658th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kandiyohi County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kandiyohi County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Kandiyohi County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kandiyohi County (31.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Stearns County, MN (39.1); Swift County, MN (36.9); Chippewa County, MN (35.0).

  • 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). Kandiyohi County's score of 31.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kandiyohi 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 Kandiyohi County?

    Kandiyohi County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 43,813 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.