Dickey County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.8 | 4,900 people · 38th most distressed in North Dakota
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Dickey County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.8 — 3076th 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 38th of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dickey County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 31.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 31.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 29
Structural Poverty 24.1
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 12
Economic Vitality 16.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 15.7
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 7
Legal Distress 6.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dickey County
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy —
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy +12.8
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy +3.1
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy +0.9
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy +0.7
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy -0.5
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy -7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dickey County
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy -0.0
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy +0.1
Custer County, SD 19.9 Healthy +0.1
Gove County, KS 19.9 Healthy +0.1
Aurora County, SD 19.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Dickey 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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Legal Services of North Dakota 1-800-634-5263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Dickey County has a County Distress Index score of 19.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,076th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dickey County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dickey County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 31.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Dickey County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dickey County (19.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Brown County, SD (32.6); McIntosh County, ND (22.9); 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). Dickey County's score of 19.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dickey 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 Dickey County?

    Dickey County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 4,900 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.