Wabasha County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.1 | 21,683 people · 70th most distressed in Minnesota
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Wabasha County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.1 — 2928th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Minnesota, it ranks 70th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wabasha County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 55.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 55.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Housing Cost Burden 52.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 46
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 12
Economic Vitality 38.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Structural Poverty 25.3
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Consumer Credit Distress 7.0
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wabasha County
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy —
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +6.0
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy +3.9
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy +2.3
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy -4.0
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wabasha County
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy +0.0
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy -0.0
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy +0.1
Wasatch County, UT 26.0 Healthy -0.1
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wabasha 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 Wabasha 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 Wabasha County, Minnesota?

    Wabasha County has a County Distress Index score of 26.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,928th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wabasha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wabasha County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 55.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Wabasha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wabasha County (26.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Winona County, MN (32.1); Olmsted County, MN (30.0); Goodhue County, MN (28.4).

  • 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). Wabasha County's score of 26.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wabasha 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 Wabasha County?

    Wabasha County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 21,683 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.