Emmons County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.7 | 3,224 people · 27th most distressed in North Dakota
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Emmons County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.7 — 2972nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within North Dakota, it ranks 27th of 53 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Emmons County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Legal Distress 49.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Housing Cost Burden 24.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 10
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 16.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 14.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmons County
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy —
Sioux County, ND 50.1 Elevated +25.4
Corson County, SD 46.9 Normal +22.2
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy +9.9
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +2.0
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy -0.3
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy -1.8
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -3.3
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy -7.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmons County
Harlan County, NE 24.7 Healthy -0.0
Butte County, ID 24.8 Healthy +0.1
Trego County, KS 24.7 Healthy -0.1
Kingsbury County, SD 24.6 Healthy -0.2
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Emmons 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 Emmons County, North Dakota?

    Emmons County has a County Distress Index score of 24.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,972nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Emmons County?

    The primary driver of distress in Emmons County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Emmons County compare to neighboring counties?

    Emmons County (24.7) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Sioux County, ND (50.1); Corson County, SD (46.9); Morton 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). Emmons County's score of 24.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Emmons 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 Emmons County?

    Emmons County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 3,224 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.