Barnes County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 10,726 people · 14th most distressed in North Dakota
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Barnes County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2580th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within North Dakota, it ranks 14th of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Barnes County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 46.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 46.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 55
Structural Poverty 33.1
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 27
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Consumer Credit Distress 31.9
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 59
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 17
Economic Vitality 23.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Legal Distress 12.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Barnes County
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy —
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +0.7
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy -2.1
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy -12.3
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -14.8
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy -19.6
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy -20.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Barnes County
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Auglaize County, OH 33.0 Healthy -0.0
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Huron County, MI 33.0 Healthy -0.1
Mills County, IA 33.2 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Barnes County

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State Bar Association of North Dakota Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar Association of North Dakota Lawyer Referral Service 701-255-1404

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Legal aid organizations serving Barnes County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of North Dakota 1-800-634-5263

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Barnes County, North Dakota?

    Barnes County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,580th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Barnes County?

    The primary driver of distress in Barnes County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 46.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Barnes County compare to neighboring counties?

    Barnes County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cass County, ND (33.7); Stutsman County, ND (30.9); Ransom County, ND (20.8).

  • 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). Barnes County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Barnes 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 Barnes County?

    Barnes County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 10,726 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.