Pipestone County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.4 | 9,245 people · 47th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Pipestone County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.4 — 2678th 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 47th of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pipestone County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 65.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 65.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 12
Structural Poverty 38.5
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 24
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Economic Vitality 37.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Legal Distress 34.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 11.6
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pipestone County
Pipestone County, MN 31.4 Healthy —
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +4.1
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy +2.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -0.1
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy -4.3
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy -8.5
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy -11.3
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -13.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pipestone County
Arthur County, NE 31.4 Healthy 0.0
Garfield County, UT 31.4 Healthy +0.0
Knox County, MO 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Clark County, KS 31.4 Healthy -0.0
Moody County, SD 31.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pipestone 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 Pipestone 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 Pipestone County, Minnesota?

    Pipestone County has a County Distress Index score of 31.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,678th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pipestone County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pipestone County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 65.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Pipestone County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pipestone County (31.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Minnehaha County, SD (35.5); Lyon County, MN (33.4); Moody County, SD (31.4).

  • 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). Pipestone County's score of 31.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pipestone 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 Pipestone County?

    Pipestone County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 9,245 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.