Ransom County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.8 | 5,603 people · 35th most distressed in North Dakota
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Ransom County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.8 — 3056th 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 35th of 53 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ransom County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 44.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 44.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 43
Economic Vitality 29.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 19.8
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 14
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Consumer Credit Distress 10.9
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 12
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ransom County
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy —
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +14.5
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +13.0
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy +12.3
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy -0.9
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy -1.5
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy -8.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ransom County
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy -0.0
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy -0.1
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -0.1
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy +0.1
Mitchell County, KS 21.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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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 Ransom 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 Ransom County, North Dakota?

    Ransom County has a County Distress Index score of 20.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,056th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ransom County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ransom County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 44.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ransom County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ransom County (20.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Richland County, ND (35.3); Cass County, ND (33.7); Barnes County, ND (33.1).

  • 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). Ransom County's score of 20.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ransom 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 Ransom County?

    Ransom County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 5,603 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.