Nobles County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 21,727 people · 41st most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Nobles County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2612th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Minnesota, it ranks 41st of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nobles County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 45.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 45.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 28
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 76
Structural Poverty 37.8
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Housing Cost Burden 32.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 63
Legal Distress 32.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Consumer Credit Distress 28.7
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 54
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 25

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nobles County
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy —
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +1.2
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy -4.8
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -6.5
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy -9.6
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -14.5
Lyon County, IA 11.4 Healthy -21.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nobles County
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy +0.0
Currituck County, NC 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Hood River County, OR 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Nobles 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 Nobles 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 Nobles County, Minnesota?

    Nobles County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,612th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nobles County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nobles County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 45.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Nobles County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nobles County (32.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cottonwood County, MN (33.7); Osceola County, IA (27.8); Jackson County, MN (26.1).

  • 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). Nobles County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Nobles 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 Nobles County?

    Nobles County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 21,727 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.