Martin County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.5 | 19,657 people · 27th most distressed in Minnesota
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Martin County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.5 — 2452nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 27th 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. Martin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 60.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 60.7
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 36
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Legal Distress 59.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Housing Cost Burden 48.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 60
Economic Vitality 41.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Consumer Credit Distress 17.6
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 36
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Martin County
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +4.7
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal +0.3
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy -1.6
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy -8.3
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -8.6
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Martin County
Gillespie County, TX 35.6 Normal +0.1
Lewis County, NY 35.4 Normal -0.1
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal +0.1
Juniata County, PA 35.6 Normal +0.1
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Martin 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 Martin 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 Martin County, Minnesota?

    Martin County has a County Distress Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,452nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Martin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Martin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 60.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Martin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Martin County (35.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Faribault County, MN (35.9); Emmet County, IA (33.9).

  • 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). Martin County's score of 35.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Martin 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 Martin County?

    Martin County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 19,657 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.