Bowman County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.9 | 2,867 people · 47th most distressed in North Dakota
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Bowman County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.9 — 3126th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within North Dakota, it ranks 47th of 53 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Bowman County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 28.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 28.0
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 14
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Consumer Credit Distress 17.6
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Economic Vitality 11.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Housing Cost Burden 7.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Bowman County
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy —
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy +14.2
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy +11.5
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy +6.2
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy +2.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Bowman County
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy +0.0
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy -0.1
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy -0.2
Sully County, SD 16.2 Healthy +0.3
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Bowman 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Bowman 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 Bowman County, North Dakota?

    Bowman County has a County Distress Index score of 15.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,126th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Bowman County?

    The primary driver of distress in Bowman County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 28.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Bowman County compare to neighboring counties?

    Bowman County (15.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Adams County, ND (30.1); Fallon County, MT (27.4); Slope County, ND (22.1).

  • 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). Bowman County's score of 15.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Bowman 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 Bowman County?

    Bowman County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,867 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.