Waseca County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.4 | 18,981 people · 53rd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Waseca County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.4 — 2742nd 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 53rd 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. Waseca County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 68.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 68.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Housing Cost Burden 38.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 91
Homeownership Rate 22
Structural Poverty 34.2
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Economic Vitality 32.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Consumer Credit Distress 19.2
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Waseca County
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +9.9
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +9.0
Steele County, MN 38.5 Normal +8.1
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal +5.5
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy +4.3
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy +2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Waseca County
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -0.0
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy +0.1
Lawrence County, SD 30.4 Healthy +0.1
Posey County, IN 30.3 Healthy -0.1
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Waseca 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 Waseca 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 Waseca County, Minnesota?

    Waseca County has a County Distress Index score of 30.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,742nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Waseca County?

    The primary driver of distress in Waseca County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 68.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Waseca County compare to neighboring counties?

    Waseca County (30.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Freeborn County, MN (39.4); Steele County, MN (38.5).

  • 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). Waseca County's score of 30.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Waseca 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 Waseca County?

    Waseca County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 18,981 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.