Pembina County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 16.9 | 6,661 people · 45th most distressed in North Dakota
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Pembina County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 16.9 — 3118th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within North Dakota, it ranks 45th 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. Pembina County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 22.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 22.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 50
Structural Poverty 21.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Legal Distress 14.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15
Consumer Credit Distress 14.4
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 7
Economic Vitality 11.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pembina County
Pembina County, ND 16.9 Healthy —
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy +12.5
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy +2.9
Kittson County, MN 18.3 Healthy +1.4
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy -1.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pembina County
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy +0.1
Haakon County, SD 17.1 Healthy +0.3
Cedar County, NE 17.3 Healthy +0.4
Stillwater County, MT 17.4 Healthy +0.5
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy +0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pembina County

Find an Attorney

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 Pembina County residents at no cost.

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

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in North Dakota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Pembina County has a County Distress Index score of 16.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,118th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pembina County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pembina County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 22.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Pembina County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pembina County (16.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Walsh County, ND (29.4); Marshall County, MN (19.8); Kittson County, MN (18.3).

  • 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). Pembina County's score of 16.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pembina 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 Pembina County?

    Pembina County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 6,661 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.