Mahnomen County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 5,280 people · 1st most distressed in Minnesota
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Mahnomen County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1714th 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 1st of 87 counties. It scores higher than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mahnomen County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 85.4 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 85.4
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 85
Disability Rate 59
Transfer Income Dependency 91
Consumer Credit Distress 48.5
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 53
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 78
Subprime Credit Population 60
Housing Cost Burden 37.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 60
Economic Vitality 36.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 10
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 22.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mahnomen County
Mahnomen County, MN 48.0 Normal —
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal -11.4
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal -12.9
Becker County, MN 30.7 Healthy -17.3
Clearwater County, MN 28.4 Healthy -19.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mahnomen County
Elk County, KS 48.0 Normal +0.0
McLean County, KY 48.1 Normal +0.1
Niobrara County, WY 48.1 Normal +0.1
Huerfano County, CO 47.9 Normal -0.1
Saguache County, CO 47.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mahnomen 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 Mahnomen 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Mahnomen County, Minnesota?

    Mahnomen County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,714th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 1st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mahnomen County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mahnomen County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 85.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mahnomen County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mahnomen County (48.0) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Polk County, MN (36.6); Norman County, MN (35.1); Becker County, MN (30.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Mahnomen County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Mahnomen 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 Mahnomen County?

    Mahnomen County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 5,280 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.