Divide County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.3 | 2,135 people · 29th most distressed in North Dakota
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Divide County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.3 — 2986th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within North Dakota, it ranks 29th of 53 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Divide County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 74.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 74.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Structural Poverty 30.0
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Consumer Credit Distress 20.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Housing Cost Burden 12.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Divide County
Divide County, ND 24.3 Healthy —
Sheridan County, MT 42.5 Normal +18.3
Williams County, ND 42.1 Normal +17.8
Burke County, ND 17.6 Healthy -6.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Divide County
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy -0.0
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy +0.1
Florence County, WI 24.4 Healthy +0.2
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy +0.2
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Divide 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 Divide 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 Divide County, North Dakota?

    Divide County has a County Distress Index score of 24.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,986th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Divide County?

    The primary driver of distress in Divide County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 74.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Divide County compare to neighboring counties?

    Divide County (24.3) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Sheridan County, MT (42.5); Williams County, ND (42.1); Burke County, ND (17.6).

  • 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). Divide County's score of 24.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Divide 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 Divide County?

    Divide County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,135 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.