Grant County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 2,215 people · 13th most distressed in North Dakota
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Grant County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2544th 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 13th of 53 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grant County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 64.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 64.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 5
Structural Poverty 63.9
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 73
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Economic Vitality 28.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 15.0
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Grant County, ND 33.7 Healthy —
Sioux County, ND 50.1 Elevated +16.4
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy +0.9
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +0.9
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy -2.1
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy -3.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Chouteau County, MT 33.7 Healthy 0.0
Kane County, UT 33.7 Healthy 0.0
Dolores County, CO 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Edwards County, KS 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Yuma County, CO 33.7 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County, North Dakota?

    Grant County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,544th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grant County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grant County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 64.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Grant County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grant County (33.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sioux County, ND (50.1); Morton County, ND (34.6); 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). Grant County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Grant 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 Grant County?

    Grant County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,215 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.