Oliver County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.0 | 1,879 people · 42nd most distressed in North Dakota
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Oliver County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.0 — 3104th 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 42nd of 53 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oliver County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 25.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 25.9
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Economic Vitality 24.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 18.0
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 21
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Housing Cost Burden 11.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 11
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oliver County
Oliver County, ND 18.0 Healthy —
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy +16.7
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy +11.9
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +8.8
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oliver County
Stevens County, MN 18.0 Healthy 0.0
Hamilton County, NE 17.9 Healthy -0.0
Murray County, MN 18.0 Healthy +0.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oliver 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 Oliver 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 Oliver County, North Dakota?

    Oliver County has a County Distress Index score of 18.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,104th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oliver County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oliver County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 25.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Oliver County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oliver County (18.0) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Morton County, ND (34.6); Mercer County, ND (29.9); Burleigh County, ND (26.8).

  • 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 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). Oliver County's score of 18.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Oliver 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 Oliver County?

    Oliver County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 1,879 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.