Winona County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.1 | 49,721 people · 43rd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Winona County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.1 — 2645th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Minnesota, it ranks 43rd of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Winona County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.5 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 75
Economic Vitality 47.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 96
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Structural Poverty 30.8
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Legal Distress 26.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 10.1
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Winona County
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy —
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy +1.3
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy -2.1
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy -5.0
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy -5.1
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -6.0
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -6.2
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy -10.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Winona County
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy 0.0
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -0.0
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy +0.0
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy +0.1
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Winona 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 Winona 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 Winona County, Minnesota?

    Winona County has a County Distress Index score of 32.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,645th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Winona County?

    The primary driver of distress in Winona County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Winona County compare to neighboring counties?

    Winona County (32.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: La Crosse County, WI (33.4); Olmsted County, MN (30.0); Fillmore County, MN (27.2).

  • 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). Winona County's score of 32.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Winona 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 Winona County?

    Winona County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 49,721 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.