McHenry County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 17.0 | 5,131 people · 44th most distressed in North Dakota
American Default Research

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

McHenry County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 17.0 — 3117th 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 44th of 53 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McHenry County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 42.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 42.1
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 63
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Economic Vitality 27.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 86
Legal Distress 24.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 10.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 17
Housing Cost Burden 8.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McHenry County
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy —
Ward County, ND 37.5 Normal +20.6
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy +12.8
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy +8.4
Renville County, ND 16.4 Healthy -0.5
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy -1.9
Bottineau County, ND 15.1 Healthy -1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McHenry County
Pembina County, ND 16.9 Healthy -0.1
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy +0.2
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy +0.3
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy +0.4
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in McHenry 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 McHenry 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 McHenry County, North Dakota?

    McHenry County has a County Distress Index score of 17.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,117th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 44th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McHenry County?

    The primary driver of distress in McHenry County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 42.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does McHenry County compare to neighboring counties?

    McHenry County (17.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ward County, ND (37.5); Pierce County, ND (29.8); 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). McHenry County's score of 17.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    McHenry 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 McHenry County?

    McHenry County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 5,131 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.