Olmsted County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.0 | 164,784 people · 54th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Olmsted County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.0 — 2758th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Minnesota, it ranks 54th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Olmsted County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 82
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 70
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 56
Homeownership Rate 68
Legal Distress 55.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Economic Vitality 31.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Consumer Credit Distress 11.3
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 11.0
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Olmsted County
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +11.6
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +2.1
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy -0.5
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy -1.6
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy -2.8
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -3.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Olmsted County
Bristol County, RI 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Broomfield County, CO 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Wright County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +0.7
Medina County, OH 30.7 Healthy +0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Olmsted County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Olmsted County.

THREE RIVERS COMMUNITY ACTION, INC
Rochester
507-316-0610 Website
Pre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Olmsted 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Olmsted County has a County Distress Index score of 30.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,758th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Olmsted County?

    The primary driver of distress in Olmsted County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Olmsted County compare to neighboring counties?

    Olmsted County (30.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Winona County, MN (32.1); Dodge County, MN (29.5).

  • 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). Olmsted County's score of 30.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Olmsted 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 Olmsted County?

    Olmsted County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 164,784 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.