Stevens County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.0 | 9,728 people · 87th most distressed in Minnesota
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Stevens County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.0 — 3103rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Minnesota, it ranks 87th of 87 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stevens County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 41.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 41.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 81
Structural Poverty 25.8
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 24
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Economic Vitality 21.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Consumer Credit Distress 6.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy —
Swift County, MN 36.9 Normal +19.0
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy +15.8
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +13.3
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy +7.8
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy +4.6
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy +3.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy 0.0
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy +0.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stevens 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 Stevens 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 Stevens County, Minnesota?

    Stevens County has a County Distress Index score of 18.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,103rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 87th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stevens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stevens County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 41.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stevens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stevens County (18.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Swift County, MN (36.9); Pope County, MN (33.7); Grant County, MN (31.3).

  • 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). Stevens County's score of 18.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stevens 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 Stevens County?

    Stevens County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 9,728 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.