Lyon County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.4 | 25,427 people · 36th most distressed in Minnesota
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Lyon County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.4 — 2565th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Minnesota, it ranks 36th of 87 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lyon County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 57.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 57.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 59
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 22
Homeownership Rate 69
Structural Poverty 38.3
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 32.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Legal Distress 31.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31
Consumer Credit Distress 21.2
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 45
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lyon County
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy —
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy -0.5
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy -2.0
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy -6.3
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy -11.4
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -15.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lyon County
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy +0.1
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy +0.1
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy -0.1
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy +0.1
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lyon 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 Lyon 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 Lyon County, Minnesota?

    Lyon County has a County Distress Index score of 33.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,565th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lyon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lyon County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 57.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lyon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lyon County (33.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Redwood County, MN (32.9); Pipestone County, MN (31.4); Lincoln County, MN (27.1).

  • 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). Lyon County's score of 33.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lyon 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 Lyon County?

    Lyon County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 25,427 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.