Morton County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.6 | 33,895 people · 10th most distressed in North Dakota
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Morton County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.6 — 2498th 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 10th of 53 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Morton County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 69.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 69.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 46
Economic Vitality 35.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 52
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 26.8
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 31
Legal Distress 17.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Structural Poverty 13.8
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Morton County
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy —
Sioux County, ND 50.1 Elevated +15.5
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Grant County, ND 33.7 Healthy -0.9
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy -4.7
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy -7.9
Emmons County, ND 24.7 Healthy -9.9
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy -16.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Morton County
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Woodford County, KY 34.6 Healthy +0.0
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy +0.1
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Morton 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

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Legal Services of North Dakota 1-800-634-5263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Morton County has a County Distress Index score of 34.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,498th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Morton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Morton County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 69.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Morton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Morton County (34.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Sioux County, ND (50.1); Stark County, ND (34.6); Grant County, ND (33.7).

  • 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). Morton County's score of 34.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Morton 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 Morton County?

    Morton County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 33,895 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.