Traverse County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.5 | 3,136 people · 83rd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Traverse County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.5 — 3039th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Minnesota, it ranks 83rd 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. Traverse County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 51.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 51.5
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Economic Vitality 43.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Housing Cost Burden 28.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 46
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 22
Homeownership Rate 20
Consumer Credit Distress 8.1
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 5
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. Traverse County
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy —
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +18.3
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +13.8
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +9.7
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy +9.0
Big Stone County, MN 25.8 Healthy +4.3
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy -3.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Traverse County
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy -0.0
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy +0.0
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy -0.1
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Traverse 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 Traverse 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Traverse County, Minnesota?

    Traverse County has a County Distress Index score of 21.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,039th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Traverse County?

    The primary driver of distress in Traverse County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 51.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Traverse County compare to neighboring counties?

    Traverse County (21.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Roberts County, SD (39.8); Richland County, ND (35.3); 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). Traverse County's score of 21.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Traverse 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 Traverse County?

    Traverse County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 3,136 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.