Nelson County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.2 | 2,991 people · 40th most distressed in North Dakota
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Nelson County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.2 — 3089th 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 40th of 53 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Nelson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 40.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 40.4
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 73
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Economic Vitality 20.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Legal Distress 18.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18
Housing Cost Burden 16.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 17
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 36
Consumer Credit Distress 14.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Nelson County
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy —
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal +19.8
Grand Forks County, ND 35.7 Normal +16.4
Ramsey County, ND 31.6 Healthy +12.4
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy +10.2
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy +9.5
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -0.9
Steele County, ND 13.5 Healthy -5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Nelson County
Denali Borough, AK 19.3 Healthy +0.0
Ida County, IA 19.2 Healthy -0.1
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy +0.1
Cuming County, NE 19.4 Healthy +0.2
Bon Homme County, SD 19.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Nelson 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 Nelson County, North Dakota?

    Nelson County has a County Distress Index score of 19.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,089th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Nelson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Nelson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 40.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Nelson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Nelson County (19.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Benson County, ND (39.0); Grand Forks County, ND (35.7); Ramsey County, ND (31.6).

  • 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). Nelson County's score of 19.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Nelson 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 Nelson County?

    Nelson County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,991 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.