Mercer County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.9 | 8,309 people · 19th most distressed in North Dakota
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Mercer County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.9 — 2767th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within North Dakota, it ranks 19th of 53 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mercer County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 84
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 17
Economic Vitality 27.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Structural Poverty 22.1
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Consumer Credit Distress 15.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 9
Legal Distress 14.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy —
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy +4.7
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +4.7
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy -4.4
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy -11.9
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy -14.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Treasure County, MT 29.9 Healthy -0.0
Alger County, MI 29.9 Healthy +0.0
Cheyenne County, CO 29.9 Healthy +0.1
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy -0.1
Lane County, KS 30.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mercer 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County, North Dakota?

    Mercer County has a County Distress Index score of 29.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,767th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mercer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mercer County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Mercer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mercer County (29.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Morton County, ND (34.6); Stark County, ND (34.6); Dunn 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). Mercer County's score of 29.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mercer 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 Mercer County?

    Mercer County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 8,309 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.