Cavalier County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.7 | 3,596 people · 48th most distressed in North Dakota
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Cavalier County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.7 — 3128th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within North Dakota, it ranks 48th 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. Cavalier County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 30.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 30.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 7
Homeownership Rate 8
Economic Vitality 19.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 50
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Structural Poverty 18.9
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 21
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Consumer Credit Distress 8.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 6
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cavalier County
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy —
Ramsey County, ND 31.6 Healthy +16.0
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy +13.8
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy +4.2
Pembina County, ND 16.9 Healthy +1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cavalier County
Deuel County, SD 15.7 Healthy +0.1
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy -0.1
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy +0.2
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy +0.2
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cavalier 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 Cavalier 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 Cavalier County, North Dakota?

    Cavalier County has a County Distress Index score of 15.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,128th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cavalier County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cavalier County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 30.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Cavalier County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cavalier County (15.7) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Ramsey County, ND (31.6); Walsh County, ND (29.4); Towner County, ND (19.9).

  • 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). Cavalier County's score of 15.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cavalier 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 Cavalier County?

    Cavalier County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 3,596 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.