Roseau County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.9 | 15,252 people · 65th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Roseau County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.9 — 2854th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 65th of 87 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Roseau County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 49.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 49.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Housing Cost Burden 45.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 16
Structural Poverty 28.9
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 42
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 31
Economic Vitality 27.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 90
Consumer Credit Distress 16.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Roseau County
Roseau County, MN 27.9 Healthy —
Beltrami County, MN 45.4 Normal +17.5
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy +0.9
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy -8.1
Kittson County, MN 18.3 Healthy -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Roseau County
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy 0.0
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy -0.1
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy -0.1
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy +0.1
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Roseau 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 Roseau 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 Roseau County, Minnesota?

    Roseau County has a County Distress Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,854th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Roseau County?

    The primary driver of distress in Roseau County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 49.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Roseau County compare to neighboring counties?

    Roseau County (27.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Beltrami County, MN (45.4); Lake of the Woods County, MN (28.8); Marshall County, MN (19.8).

  • 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). Roseau County's score of 27.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Roseau 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 Roseau County?

    Roseau County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 15,252 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.