Sherburne County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.9 | 102,206 people · 38th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Sherburne County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.9 — 2587th 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 38th 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. Sherburne County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 84.1 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 84.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 84
Economic Vitality 67.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Housing Cost Burden 58.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 62
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 5
Structural Poverty 14.9
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 13
Consumer Credit Distress 11.3
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 15
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sherburne County
Sherburne County, MN 32.9 Healthy —
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal +10.7
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +9.2
Benton County, MN 39.6 Normal +6.7
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal +6.2
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal +5.3
Hennepin County, MN 37.5 Normal +4.5
Wright County, MN 29.9 Healthy -3.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sherburne County
Hanover County, VA 32.8 Healthy -0.1
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy +0.2
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy -0.2
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -0.2
Bingham County, ID 32.6 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sherburne 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 Sherburne 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 Sherburne County, Minnesota?

    Sherburne County has a County Distress Index score of 32.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,587th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sherburne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sherburne County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 84.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sherburne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sherburne County (32.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Isanti County, MN (43.6); Mille Lacs County, MN (42.1); Benton County, MN (39.6).

  • 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). Sherburne County's score of 32.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sherburne 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 Sherburne County?

    Sherburne County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 102,206 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.