Wilkin County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.6 | 6,306 people · 52nd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Wilkin County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.6 — 2726th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Minnesota, it ranks 52nd 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. Wilkin County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 46.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 46.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 54
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 20
Legal Distress 33.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Structural Poverty 33.4
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Economic Vitality 25.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Consumer Credit Distress 22.7
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 36
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wilkin County
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy —
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal +12.4
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +4.7
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +0.7
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy -3.8
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -9.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wilkin County
Kiowa County, KS 30.6 Healthy -0.0
Loup County, NE 30.6 Healthy -0.0
Thomas County, NE 30.6 Healthy -0.0
Brown County, KS 30.5 Healthy -0.1
Ouray County, CO 30.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wilkin 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 Wilkin 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Minnesota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Wilkin County has a County Distress Index score of 30.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,726th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 52nd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wilkin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wilkin County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 46.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Wilkin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wilkin County (30.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Clay County, MN (43.0); 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). Wilkin County's score of 30.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wilkin 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 Wilkin County?

    Wilkin County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 6,306 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.