Eddy County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.7 | 2,263 people · 22nd most distressed in North Dakota
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Eddy County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.7 — 2815th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within North Dakota, it ranks 22nd of 53 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Eddy County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 41.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 41.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Structural Poverty 39.5
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 31
Consumer Credit Distress 29.5
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 64
Housing Cost Burden 19.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 62
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Eddy County
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy —
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal +10.3
Foster County, ND 23.9 Healthy -4.8
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -6.7
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy -9.5
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -10.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Eddy County
Baraga County, MI 28.7 Healthy 0.0
Platte County, WY 28.6 Healthy -0.1
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy +0.1
Beaver County, OK 28.9 Healthy +0.2
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Eddy 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

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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 Eddy County, North Dakota?

    Eddy County has a County Distress Index score of 28.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,815th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Eddy County?

    The primary driver of distress in Eddy County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 41.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Eddy County compare to neighboring counties?

    Eddy County (28.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Benson County, ND (39.0); Foster County, ND (23.9); Wells County, ND (22.0).

  • 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). Eddy County's score of 28.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Eddy 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 Eddy County?

    Eddy County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,263 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.