Otter Tail County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.8 | 60,626 people · 69th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Otter Tail County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.8 — 2900th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Minnesota, it ranks 69th of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Otter Tail County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 50.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 50.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 51
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 23
Structural Poverty 46.8
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Economic Vitality 36.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 28
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 79
Legal Distress 19.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Consumer Credit Distress 9.3
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Otter Tail County
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy —
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal +16.2
Wadena County, MN 41.7 Normal +14.9
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy +5.2
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +4.5
Becker County, MN 30.7 Healthy +3.9
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy +3.8
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy -4.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Otter Tail County
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy -0.0
Livingston County, MI 26.6 Healthy -0.2
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy -0.5
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy -0.5
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy +0.6

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Otter Tail County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County, Minnesota?

    Otter Tail County has a County Distress Index score of 26.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,900th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Otter Tail County?

    The primary driver of distress in Otter Tail County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 50.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Otter Tail County compare to neighboring counties?

    Otter Tail County (26.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clay County, MN (43.0); Wadena County, MN (41.7); Todd County, MN (32.0).

  • 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). Otter Tail County's score of 26.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Otter Tail County's CDI score?

    Otter Tail 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 Otter Tail County?

    Otter Tail County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 60,626 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.