Watonwan County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.2 | 11,077 people · 66th most distressed in Minnesota
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Watonwan County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.2 — 2884th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Minnesota, it ranks 66th of 87 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Watonwan County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 47.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 47.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 85
Structural Poverty 40.5
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 41
Legal Distress 35.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Housing Cost Burden 25.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 28
Consumer Credit Distress 18.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Watonwan County
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy —
Blue Earth County, MN 40.2 Normal +13.1
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal +8.3
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +6.6
Brown County, MN 29.2 Healthy +2.0
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -1.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Watonwan County
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy -0.0
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy +0.0
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Emmet County, MI 27.1 Healthy -0.1
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Watonwan 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 Watonwan 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 Watonwan County, Minnesota?

    Watonwan County has a County Distress Index score of 27.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,884th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Watonwan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Watonwan County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 47.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Watonwan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Watonwan County (27.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Blue Earth County, MN (40.2); Martin County, MN (35.5); Cottonwood County, MN (33.7).

  • 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 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). Watonwan County's score of 27.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Watonwan 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 Watonwan County?

    Watonwan County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 11,077 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.