Scott County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.2 | 155,814 people · 60th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Scott County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.2 — 2796th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Minnesota, it ranks 60th of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Scott County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 68.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 68.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Housing Cost Burden 64.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 81
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 4
Economic Vitality 58.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 66
Structural Poverty 8.1
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1
Consumer Credit Distress 7.1
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 4
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Scott County
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy —
Hennepin County, MN 37.5 Normal +8.3
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +6.9
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy +5.5
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy +3.3
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy -3.2
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Scott County
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy -0.3
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy -0.3
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy -0.5
Boone County, IN 28.6 Healthy -0.6
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Scott County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Scott County.

SCOTT COUNTY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT AGENCY
Shakopee
952-402-9022 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-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 Scott 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 Scott County, Minnesota?

    Scott County has a County Distress Index score of 29.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,796th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Scott County?

    The primary driver of distress in Scott County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 68.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Scott County compare to neighboring counties?

    Scott County (29.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hennepin County, MN (37.5); Dakota County, MN (36.1); Rice County, MN (34.7).

  • 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). Scott County's score of 29.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Scott 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 Scott County?

    Scott County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 155,814 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.