Dunn County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.4 | 4,019 people · 25th most distressed in North Dakota
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Dunn County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.4 — 2950th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency rates remain below the national norm. Within North Dakota, it ranks 25th 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. Dunn County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 39.0 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 39.0
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 93
Subprime Credit Population 62
Structural Poverty 18.9
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Housing Cost Burden 14.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 63
Legal Distress 9.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10
Economic Vitality 5.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dunn County
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy —
McKenzie County, ND 43.5 Normal +18.0
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal +14.4
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +9.2
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy +4.4
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy -10.3
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy -10.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dunn County
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy +0.0
Teton County, MT 25.5 Healthy +0.0
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy -0.0
Chugach Census Area, AK 25.5 Healthy +0.1
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dunn 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 Dunn 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 Dunn County, North Dakota?

    Dunn County has a County Distress Index score of 25.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,950th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dunn County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dunn County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 39.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Dunn County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dunn County (25.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: McKenzie County, ND (43.5); Mountrail County, ND (39.8); Stark County, ND (34.6).

  • 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). Dunn County's score of 25.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dunn 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 Dunn County?

    Dunn County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 4,019 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.