Rice County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.7 | 67,948 people · 31st most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Rice County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.7 — 2490th 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 31st 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. Rice County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 67.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 67.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 42
Legal Distress 63.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 37.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 36
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Structural Poverty 25.4
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Consumer Credit Distress 16.9
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rice County
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy —
Steele County, MN 38.5 Normal +3.8
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +1.4
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy -2.2
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -4.3
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy -5.2
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy -5.5
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy -6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rice County
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy -0.1
Roanoke County, VA 34.6 Healthy -0.1
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy +0.2
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy +0.2
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rice 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 Rice 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 Rice County, Minnesota?

    Rice County has a County Distress Index score of 34.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,490th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rice County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rice County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 67.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Rice County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rice County (34.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Steele County, MN (38.5); Dakota County, MN (36.1); Le Sueur County, MN (32.5).

  • 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). Rice County's score of 34.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Rice 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 Rice County?

    Rice County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 67,948 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.