Norman County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.1 | 6,329 people · 28th most distressed in Minnesota
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Norman County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.1 — 2468th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 28th of 87 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Norman County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.6
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 28
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Legal Distress 50.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Economic Vitality 41.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 33.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 12
Consumer Credit Distress 25.4
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Norman County
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal —
Mahnomen County, MN 48.0 Normal +12.9
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal +7.8
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal +1.5
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy -1.4
Becker County, MN 30.7 Healthy -4.4
Traill County, ND 20.0 Healthy -15.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Norman County
Mathews County, VA 35.2 Normal +0.0
Kearny County, KS 35.2 Normal +0.0
Hartley County, TX 35.1 Normal -0.1
Chase County, KS 35.3 Normal +0.1
Lake and Peninsula Borough, AK 35.0 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Norman 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 Norman 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 Norman County, Minnesota?

    Norman County has a County Distress Index score of 35.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,468th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Norman County?

    The primary driver of distress in Norman County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Norman County compare to neighboring counties?

    Norman County (35.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mahnomen County, MN (48.0); Clay County, MN (43.0); Polk County, MN (36.6).

  • 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). Norman County's score of 35.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Norman 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 Norman County?

    Norman County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 6,329 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.