Ramsey County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.6 | 11,463 people · 16th most distressed in North Dakota
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Ramsey County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.6 — 2671st 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 16th of 53 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ramsey County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 46.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 46.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 94
Structural Poverty 41.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 36
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 26.3
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 41
Economic Vitality 23.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Legal Distress 10.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ramsey County
Ramsey County, ND 31.6 Healthy —
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal +7.4
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy -2.2
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy -11.7
Nelson County, ND 19.2 Healthy -12.4
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy -16.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ramsey County
Mono County, CA 31.6 Healthy +0.0
Skamania County, WA 31.7 Healthy +0.1
Grand County, CO 31.7 Healthy +0.1
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy +0.2
Kandiyohi County, MN 31.9 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ramsey 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 Ramsey 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 Ramsey County, North Dakota?

    Ramsey County has a County Distress Index score of 31.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,671st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ramsey County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ramsey County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 46.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ramsey County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ramsey County (31.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Benson County, ND (39.0); Walsh County, ND (29.4); Towner County, ND (19.9).

  • 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). Ramsey County's score of 31.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ramsey 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 Ramsey County?

    Ramsey County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 11,463 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.