McLeod County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.9 | 36,785 people · 50th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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McLeod County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.9 — 2706th 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 50th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McLeod County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 81.6 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 81.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 82
Housing Cost Burden 49.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 44
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 30
Economic Vitality 31.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 86
Structural Poverty 31.1
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 27
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Consumer Credit Distress 14.1
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McLeod County
McLeod County, MN 30.9 Healthy —
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +2.9
Wright County, MN 29.9 Healthy -1.0
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy -1.0
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy -4.9
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy -8.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McLeod County
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +0.0
De Witt County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in McLeod 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 McLeod 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 McLeod County, Minnesota?

    McLeod County has a County Distress Index score of 30.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,706th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McLeod County?

    The primary driver of distress in McLeod County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 81.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does McLeod County compare to neighboring counties?

    McLeod County (30.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Renville County, MN (33.8); Wright County, MN (29.9); Meeker County, MN (29.9).

  • 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 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). McLeod County's score of 30.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    McLeod 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 McLeod County?

    McLeod County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 36,785 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.