Foster County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.9 | 3,309 people · 30th most distressed in North Dakota
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Foster County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.9 — 2994th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within North Dakota, it ranks 30th of 53 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Foster County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 55.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 55.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 78
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 33
Structural Poverty 25.8
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Economic Vitality 16.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Consumer Credit Distress 11.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Foster County
Foster County, ND 23.9 Healthy —
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +7.0
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy +4.8
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -1.8
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -5.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Foster County
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy -0.2
Hamilton County, KS 23.6 Healthy -0.3
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy -0.3
Lac qui Parle County, MN 24.3 Healthy +0.4
Divide County, ND 24.3 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Foster County

Find an Attorney

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 Foster 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 Foster County, North Dakota?

    Foster County has a County Distress Index score of 23.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,994th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Foster County?

    The primary driver of distress in Foster County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 55.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Foster County compare to neighboring counties?

    Foster County (23.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Stutsman County, ND (30.9); Eddy County, ND (28.7); 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). Foster County's score of 23.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Foster 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 Foster County?

    Foster County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 3,309 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.