Koochiching County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.9 | 11,751 people · 57th most distressed in Minnesota
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Koochiching County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.9 — 2766th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Minnesota, it ranks 57th of 87 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Koochiching County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.2
Unemployment Rate 88
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 87
Legal Distress 50.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Economic Vitality 28.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Housing Cost Burden 27.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 11
Consumer Credit Distress 16.6
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Koochiching County
Koochiching County, MN 29.9 Healthy —
Beltrami County, MN 45.4 Normal +15.5
St. Louis County, MN 41.5 Normal +11.7
Itasca County, MN 40.4 Normal +10.5
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy -1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Koochiching County
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy +0.0
Floyd County, VA 29.9 Healthy +0.0
Guthrie County, IA 29.8 Healthy -0.1
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy +0.1
Park County, CO 29.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Koochiching 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 Koochiching 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 Koochiching County, Minnesota?

    Koochiching County has a County Distress Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,766th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 57th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Koochiching County?

    The primary driver of distress in Koochiching County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Koochiching County compare to neighboring counties?

    Koochiching County (29.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Beltrami County, MN (45.4); St. Louis County, MN (41.5); Itasca County, MN (40.4).

  • 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). Koochiching County's score of 29.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Koochiching 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 Koochiching County?

    Koochiching County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 11,751 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.