Sibley County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.0 | 15,084 people · 72nd most distressed in Minnesota
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Sibley County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.0 — 2934th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 72nd of 87 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sibley County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 62.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 62.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Housing Cost Burden 44.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 13
Structural Poverty 32.6
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Economic Vitality 28.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Consumer Credit Distress 9.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sibley County
Sibley County, MN 26.0 Healthy —
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +7.8
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy +6.5
McLeod County, MN 30.9 Healthy +4.9
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy +3.2
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy +2.9
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sibley County
Wasatch County, UT 26.0 Healthy +0.0
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -0.1
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy +0.1
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sibley 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 Sibley 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 Sibley County, Minnesota?

    Sibley County has a County Distress Index score of 26.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,934th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 72nd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sibley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sibley County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 62.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sibley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sibley County (26.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Renville County, MN (33.8); Le Sueur County, MN (32.5); McLeod County, MN (30.9).

  • 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). Sibley County's score of 26.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sibley 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 Sibley County?

    Sibley County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 15,084 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.