Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.0 | 9,467 people · 82nd most distressed in Minnesota
American Default Research

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Yellow Medicine County, MN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.0 — 3035th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Minnesota, it ranks 82nd of 87 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Yellow Medicine County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 41.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 41.5
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Economic Vitality 41.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 36
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 21.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Housing Cost Burden 17.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 14.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Yellow Medicine County
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy —
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy +13.0
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +11.8
Lyon County, MN 33.4 Healthy +11.4
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy +10.9
Lincoln County, MN 27.1 Healthy +5.1
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy +2.3
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Yellow Medicine County
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy +0.0
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy +0.1
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy +0.1
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy +0.2
Dundy County, NE 21.8 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Yellow Medicine County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Yellow Medicine 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 Yellow Medicine 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 Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota?

    Yellow Medicine County has a County Distress Index score of 22.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,035th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Minnesota out of 87 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Yellow Medicine County?

    The primary driver of distress in Yellow Medicine County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 41.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Yellow Medicine County compare to neighboring counties?

    Yellow Medicine County (22.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Chippewa County, MN (35.0); Renville County, MN (33.8); Lyon County, MN (33.4).

  • 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). Yellow Medicine County's score of 22.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Yellow Medicine County's CDI score?

    Yellow Medicine 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 Yellow Medicine County?

    Yellow Medicine County, Minnesota has a population of approximately 9,467 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.