Kittson County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.3 | 4,060 people · 85th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Kittson County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.3 — 3095th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 85th of 87 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kittson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 48.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 48.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Structural Poverty 39.8
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Economic Vitality 27.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Housing Cost Burden 13.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 11
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 9
Consumer Credit Distress 7.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kittson County
Kittson County, MN 18.3 Healthy —
Roseau County, MN 27.9 Healthy +9.6
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy +1.5
Pembina County, ND 16.9 Healthy -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kittson County
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kittson 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 Kittson 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 Kittson County, Minnesota?

    Kittson County has a County Distress Index score of 18.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,095th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kittson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kittson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 48.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Kittson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kittson County (18.3) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Roseau County, MN (27.9); Marshall County, MN (19.8); Pembina County, ND (16.9).

  • 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). Kittson County's score of 18.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kittson 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 Kittson County?

    Kittson County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 4,060 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.