Benson County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.0 | 5,745 people · 6th most distressed in North Dakota
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Benson County, ND falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.0 — 2253rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within North Dakota, it ranks 6th of 53 counties. It scores higher than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Benson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.0
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 92
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 88
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Consumer Credit Distress 51.4
Debt in Collections 70
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 51
Economic Vitality 25.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Housing Cost Burden 13.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 51
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Benson County
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal —
Ramsey County, ND 31.6 Healthy -7.4
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy -9.3
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy -10.3
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -17.0
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy -19.1
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy -19.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Benson County
Sherman County, OR 39.0 Normal 0.0
Marshall County, KS 39.1 Normal +0.0
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal +0.0
Pendleton County, WV 39.1 Normal +0.0
Sherman County, TX 39.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Benson County has a County Distress Index score of 39.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,253rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Benson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Benson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Benson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Benson County (39.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ramsey County, ND (31.6); Pierce County, ND (29.8); Eddy County, ND (28.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Benson County's score of 39.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Benson 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 Benson County?

    Benson County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 5,745 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.