Renville County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 16.4 | 2,279 people · 46th most distressed in North Dakota
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Renville County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 16.4 — 3121st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within North Dakota, it ranks 46th 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. Renville County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 46.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Structural Poverty 17.3
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 44
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Housing Cost Burden 16.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 12
Consumer Credit Distress 11.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 7.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Renville County
Renville County, ND 16.4 Healthy —
Ward County, ND 37.5 Normal +21.1
Burke County, ND 17.6 Healthy +1.1
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy +0.5
Bottineau County, ND 15.1 Healthy -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Renville County
Douglas County, SD 16.2 Healthy -0.2
Sully County, SD 16.2 Healthy -0.3
Pembina County, ND 16.9 Healthy +0.5
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy +0.5
Faulk County, SD 15.9 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Renville 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 Services of North Dakota 1-800-634-5263

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Renville County has a County Distress Index score of 16.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,121st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Renville County?

    The primary driver of distress in Renville County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 46.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Renville County compare to neighboring counties?

    Renville County (16.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Ward County, ND (37.5); Burke County, ND (17.6); McHenry County, ND (17.0).

  • 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). Renville County's score of 16.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Renville 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 Renville County?

    Renville County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,279 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.