Grand Forks County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.7 | 72,708 people · 8th most distressed in North Dakota
American Default Research

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Grand Forks County, ND falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.7 — 2441st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within North Dakota, it ranks 8th of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grand Forks County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 99
Legal Distress 37.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Economic Vitality 32.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 22.4
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 26
Structural Poverty 21.0
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grand Forks County
Grand Forks County, ND 35.7 Normal —
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal +0.9
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy -6.3
Traill County, ND 20.0 Healthy -15.6
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy -15.9
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy -16.4
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy -22.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grand Forks County
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal -0.1
Platte County, MO 35.7 Normal +0.1
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal +0.1
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal -0.1
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Grand Forks County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Grand Forks 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 aid organizations serving Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks County, North Dakota?

    Grand Forks County has a County Distress Index score of 35.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,441st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grand Forks County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grand Forks County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Grand Forks County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grand Forks County (35.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Polk County, MN (36.6); Walsh County, ND (29.4); Traill County, ND (20.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Grand Forks County's score of 35.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Grand Forks County's CDI score?

    Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks County?

    Grand Forks County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 72,708 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.