McIntosh County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.9 | 2,488 people · 31st most distressed in North Dakota
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McIntosh County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.9 — 3016th 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 31st of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McIntosh County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.1
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 81
Economic Vitality 29.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Legal Distress 26.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 5
Housing Cost Burden 14.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McIntosh County
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy —
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy +1.8
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy +1.5
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy -2.4
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy -3.1
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy -5.5
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McIntosh County
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy -0.0
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy +0.0
Red Lake County, MN 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Brule County, SD 23.0 Healthy +0.1
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for McIntosh 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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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    McIntosh County has a County Distress Index score of 22.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,016th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McIntosh County?

    The primary driver of distress in McIntosh County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does McIntosh County compare to neighboring counties?

    McIntosh County (22.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Emmons County, ND (24.7); Logan County, ND (24.4); McPherson County, SD (20.5).

  • 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). McIntosh County's score of 22.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    McIntosh 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 McIntosh County?

    McIntosh County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,488 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.