Cass County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 196,362 people · 12th most distressed in North Dakota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Cass County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2539th 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 12th of 53 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cass County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 34.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 30.4
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 44
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 33
Economic Vitality 18.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Structural Poverty 15.1
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy —
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal +9.2
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +1.6
Norman County, MN 35.1 Normal +1.4
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy -0.7
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy -13.0
Traill County, ND 20.0 Healthy -13.7
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy -20.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
York County, ME 33.8 Healthy +0.1
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy -0.1
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy -0.1
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -0.1
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cass County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Cass County.

SOUTHEASTERN NORTH DAKOTA COMMUNITY ACTION AG
Fargo
701-232-2452 Website
Financial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementRental Help

See all counselors in North Dakota →

Find an Attorney

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 Cass County residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in North Dakota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Cass County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,539th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cass County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cass County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Cass County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cass County (33.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clay County, MN (43.0); Richland County, ND (35.3); Norman County, MN (35.1).

  • 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). Cass County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cass 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 Cass County?

    Cass County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 196,362 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.