Kidder County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.4 | 2,342 people · 34th most distressed in North Dakota
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Kidder County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.4 — 3041st 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 34th of 53 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kidder County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 48.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 48.5
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Legal Distress 28.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Housing Cost Burden 21.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 30
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 14.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Economic Vitality 13.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kidder County
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy —
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +9.5
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +5.3
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy +3.9
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy +3.3
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy +3.0
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy +0.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kidder County
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy 0.0
Powder River County, MT 21.5 Healthy +0.1
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy +0.1
Washington County, KS 21.3 Healthy -0.1
Ness County, KS 21.6 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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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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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Kidder County, North Dakota?

    Kidder County has a County Distress Index score of 21.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,041st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kidder County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kidder County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 48.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Kidder County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kidder County (21.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Stutsman County, ND (30.9); Burleigh County, ND (26.8); Sheridan County, ND (25.4).

  • 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). Kidder County's score of 21.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kidder 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 Kidder County?

    Kidder County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,342 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.