Griggs County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.3 | 2,248 people · 41st most distressed in North Dakota
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Griggs County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.3 — 3097th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within North Dakota, it ranks 41st of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Griggs County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 35.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 35.8
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 37
Consumer Credit Distress 18.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 21
Economic Vitality 16.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Housing Cost Burden 11.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 22
Legal Distress 7.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Griggs County
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy —
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy +14.8
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +12.6
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy +10.4
Foster County, ND 23.9 Healthy +5.6
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy +0.9
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy -4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Griggs County
Harding County, SD 18.3 Healthy +0.0
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -0.0
Kittson County, MN 18.3 Healthy +0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

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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 Griggs County, North Dakota?

    Griggs County has a County Distress Index score of 18.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,097th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Griggs County?

    The primary driver of distress in Griggs County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 35.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Griggs County compare to neighboring counties?

    Griggs County (18.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Barnes County, ND (33.1); Stutsman County, ND (30.9); Eddy County, ND (28.7).

  • 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). Griggs County's score of 18.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Griggs 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 Griggs County?

    Griggs County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,248 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.