Steele County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.5 | 37,421 people · 17th most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Steele County, MN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.5 — 2280th 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 17th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Steele County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Housing Cost Burden 70.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 64
Homeownership Rate 19
Structural Poverty 27.8
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 6
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Consumer Credit Distress 25.0
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 40
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 31
Economic Vitality 17.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Steele County
Steele County, MN 38.5 Normal —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +3.0
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +0.9
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy -3.8
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy -8.1
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy -9.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Steele County
Spencer County, KY 38.5 Normal -0.1
DeKalb County, IN 38.4 Normal -0.1
Wayne County, IL 38.4 Normal -0.2
Gooding County, ID 38.7 Normal +0.2
Perry County, IL 38.7 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Steele 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 Steele 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 Steele County, Minnesota?

    Steele County has a County Distress Index score of 38.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,280th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Steele County?

    The primary driver of distress in Steele County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Steele County compare to neighboring counties?

    Steele County (38.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Freeborn County, MN (39.4); 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 Normal 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). Steele County's score of 38.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Steele 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 Steele County?

    Steele County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 37,421 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.