Lincoln County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.1 | 5,521 people · 68th most distressed in Minnesota
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Lincoln County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.1 — 2886th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Minnesota, it ranks 68th of 87 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lincoln County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 50.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 50.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 48.2
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Housing Cost Burden 26.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 10
Legal Distress 20.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 18.0
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 44
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy —
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy +6.3
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +4.3
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy +4.3
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy -5.1
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -7.0
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -11.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln County
Nance County, NE 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Camas County, ID 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Wabaunsee County, KS 26.9 Healthy -0.2
Wheeler County, NE 27.3 Healthy +0.2
Meade County, KS 27.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln 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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln County, Minnesota?

    Lincoln County has a County Distress Index score of 27.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,886th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 50.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Lincoln County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln County (27.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lyon County, MN (33.4); Pipestone County, MN (31.4); Moody County, SD (31.4).

  • 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). Lincoln County's score of 27.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln County?

    Lincoln County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 5,521 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.