Hettinger County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.6 | 2,415 people · 15th most distressed in North Dakota
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Hettinger County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.6 — 2669th 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 15th 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. Hettinger County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 58.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 58.5
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 77
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 79
Transfer Income Dependency 80
Legal Distress 49.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 29.9
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 85
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 26
Economic Vitality 29.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 25
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Housing Cost Burden 13.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hettinger County
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy —
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +3.0
Grant County, ND 33.7 Healthy +2.1
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy -1.5
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hettinger County
Wayne County, NE 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Daviess County, MO 31.6 Healthy -0.0
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Cherry County, NE 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Wrangell City and Borough, AK 31.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hettinger 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 Hettinger 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 Hettinger County, North Dakota?

    Hettinger County has a County Distress Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,669th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hettinger County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hettinger County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 58.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hettinger County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hettinger County (31.6) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Stark County, ND (34.6); Grant County, ND (33.7); Adams County, ND (30.1).

  • 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). Hettinger County's score of 31.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hettinger 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 Hettinger County?

    Hettinger County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,415 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.