Pierce County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.8 | 3,902 people · 20th most distressed in North Dakota
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Pierce County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.8 — 2770th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within North Dakota, it ranks 20th 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. Pierce County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 56.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 56.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 51
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 89
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 24
Structural Poverty 39.4
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Economic Vitality 26.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Legal Distress 23.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 15.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pierce County
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy —
Rolette County, ND 57.1 Elevated +27.3
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal +9.3
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy -4.4
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -7.7
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy -9.9
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy -12.8
Bottineau County, ND 15.1 Healthy -14.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pierce County
Wichita County, KS 29.8 Healthy -0.0
Judith Basin County, MT 29.7 Healthy -0.0
Treasure County, MT 29.9 Healthy +0.1
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy +0.1
Liberty County, MT 29.6 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pierce 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 aid organizations serving Pierce 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 Pierce County, North Dakota?

    Pierce County has a County Distress Index score of 29.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,770th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pierce County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pierce County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 56.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Pierce County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pierce County (29.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Rolette County, ND (57.1); Benson County, ND (39.0); Sheridan 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). Pierce County's score of 29.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pierce 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 Pierce County?

    Pierce County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 3,902 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.