McLean County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 15.1 | 9,832 people · 49th most distressed in North Dakota
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McLean County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 15.1 — 3135th 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 49th of 53 counties. It scores lower than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McLean County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 22.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 22.3
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Housing Cost Burden 17.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 59
Homeownership Rate 6
Consumer Credit Distress 13.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 11
Economic Vitality 13.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 6.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McLean County
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy —
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal +24.7
Ward County, ND 37.5 Normal +22.4
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy +14.8
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +11.7
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy +10.3
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy +10.3
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy +2.9
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy +1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McLean County
Bottineau County, ND 15.1 Healthy -0.0
Hand County, SD 15.2 Healthy +0.1
Gray County, KS 15.3 Healthy +0.2
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy +0.3
Boone County, NE 15.5 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in McLean 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 McLean 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 McLean County, North Dakota?

    McLean County has a County Distress Index score of 15.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,135th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McLean County?

    The primary driver of distress in McLean County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 22.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does McLean County compare to neighboring counties?

    McLean County (15.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Mountrail County, ND (39.8); Ward County, ND (37.5); Mercer County, ND (29.9).

  • 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). McLean County's score of 15.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    McLean 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 McLean County?

    McLean County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 9,832 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.