Murray County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.0 | 8,049 people · 86th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Murray County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.0 — 3102nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Minnesota, it ranks 86th of 87 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Murray County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 37.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 37.6
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Economic Vitality 36.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Housing Cost Burden 14.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 11
Consumer Credit Distress 12.7
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 14
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Murray County
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy —
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +15.7
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy +15.4
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy +14.9
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy +14.5
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy +13.4
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy +4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Murray County
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy -0.0
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy -0.0
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -0.1
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Murray County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Murray County.

SOUTHWEST MINNESOTA HOUSING PARTNERSHIP
Slayton
507-836-1608 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Minnesota →

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 Murray 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Minnesota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Murray County has a County Distress Index score of 18.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,102nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 86th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Murray County?

    The primary driver of distress in Murray County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 37.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Murray County compare to neighboring counties?

    Murray County (18.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cottonwood County, MN (33.7); Lyon County, MN (33.4); Redwood County, MN (32.9).

  • 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). Murray County's score of 18.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Murray 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 Murray County?

    Murray County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 8,049 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.