McKenzie County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.5 | 14,252 people · 3rd most distressed in North Dakota
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McKenzie County, ND falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.5 — 1985th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within North Dakota, it ranks 3rd of 53 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McKenzie County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 75.7 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 75.7
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 91
Credit Card Delinquency 89
Uninsured Rate 83
Subprime Credit Population 83
Housing Cost Burden 25.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 95
Structural Poverty 7.0
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 5
Economic Vitality 6.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McKenzie County
McKenzie County, ND 43.5 Normal —
Roosevelt County, MT 59.1 Elevated +15.6
Williams County, ND 42.1 Normal -1.4
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal -3.7
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal -7.8
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy -10.4
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy -16.8
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy -18.0
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy -28.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McKenzie County
Wabash County, IL 43.5 Normal +0.1
Perry County, IN 43.4 Normal -0.1
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal +0.1
Paulding County, OH 43.6 Normal +0.1
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in McKenzie County

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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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving McKenzie 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 McKenzie County, North Dakota?

    McKenzie County has a County Distress Index score of 43.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,985th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McKenzie County?

    The primary driver of distress in McKenzie County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 75.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does McKenzie County compare to neighboring counties?

    McKenzie County (43.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Roosevelt County, MT (59.1); Williams County, ND (42.1); Mountrail County, ND (39.8).

  • 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 Normal 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). McKenzie County's score of 43.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    McKenzie 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 McKenzie County?

    McKenzie County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 14,252 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.