LaMoure County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 12.3 | 4,096 people · 53rd most distressed in North Dakota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

LaMoure County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 12.3 — 3140th 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 53rd 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. LaMoure County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 24.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 24.0
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Economic Vitality 18.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 10.2
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 9.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9
Housing Cost Burden 8.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. LaMoure County
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy —
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy +20.7
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +18.6
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy +12.1
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy +10.6
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy +8.5
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy +7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. LaMoure County
Hanson County, SD 11.9 Healthy -0.4
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy +1.2
Hamlin County, SD 10.8 Healthy -1.5
Hutchinson County, SD 14.4 Healthy +2.0
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy +2.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in LaMoure 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 LaMoure County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of North Dakota 1-800-634-5263

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in North Dakota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    LaMoure County has a County Distress Index score of 12.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,140th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in LaMoure County?

    The primary driver of distress in LaMoure County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 24.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does LaMoure County compare to neighboring counties?

    LaMoure County (12.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Barnes County, ND (33.1); Stutsman County, ND (30.9); Logan County, ND (24.4).

  • 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). LaMoure County's score of 12.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    LaMoure 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 LaMoure County?

    LaMoure County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 4,096 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.