Le Sueur County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 29,255 people · 42nd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Le Sueur County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2620th 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 42nd of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Le Sueur County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 71.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 71.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Housing Cost Burden 69.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 87
Homeownership Rate 15
Economic Vitality 38.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Structural Poverty 26.0
Unemployment Rate 97
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Consumer Credit Distress 9.8
Debt in Collections 3
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 1
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Le Sueur County
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +7.8
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy +2.2
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -2.1
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy -3.3
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy -3.6
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Le Sueur County
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Henry County, OH 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Rockbridge County, VA 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Currituck County, NC 32.5 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Le Sueur County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur County, Minnesota?

    Le Sueur County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,620th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Le Sueur County?

    The primary driver of distress in Le Sueur County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 71.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Le Sueur County compare to neighboring counties?

    Le Sueur County (32.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Rice County, MN (34.7); Waseca County, MN (30.4).

  • 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). Le Sueur County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Le Sueur County's CDI score?

    Le Sueur 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 Le Sueur County?

    Le Sueur County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 29,255 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.