Nicollet County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.9 | 34,242 people · 61st most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Nicollet County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.9 — 2806th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 61st of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nicollet County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Housing Cost Burden 56.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 51.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Structural Poverty 22.4
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 7.9
Debt in Collections 3
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nicollet County
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +11.3
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +4.9
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy +3.6
Brown County, MN 29.2 Healthy +0.3
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nicollet County
Cedar County, IA 28.9 Healthy +0.0
Hancock County, IL 28.9 Healthy -0.0
San Juan County, WA 29.0 Healthy +0.1
Douglas County, IL 28.8 Healthy -0.1
Jefferson County, KS 29.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Nicollet 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 Nicollet 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 Nicollet County, Minnesota?

    Nicollet County has a County Distress Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,806th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nicollet County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nicollet County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Nicollet County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nicollet County (28.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Renville County, MN (33.8); Le Sueur County, MN (32.5).

  • 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). Nicollet County's score of 28.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Nicollet 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 Nicollet County?

    Nicollet County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 34,242 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.