Richland County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.3 | 16,558 people · 9th most distressed in North Dakota
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Richland County, ND falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.3 — 2458th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within North Dakota, it ranks 9th of 53 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Richland County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 66.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 66.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 57
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 85
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 74
Consumer Credit Distress 31.5
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 65
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 18
Structural Poverty 21.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 28
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 14
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Economic Vitality 20.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Legal Distress 8.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal —
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal +7.7
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +4.5
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy -1.6
Wilkin County, MN 30.6 Healthy -4.7
Traverse County, MN 21.5 Healthy -13.8
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy -14.5
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy -14.8
Sargent County, ND 19.3 Healthy -16.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
Harvey County, KS 35.3 Normal -0.0
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal -0.0
Lewis County, NY 35.4 Normal +0.1
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal -0.1
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Richland 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Richland 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 Richland County, North Dakota?

    Richland County has a County Distress Index score of 35.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,458th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Richland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Richland County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 66.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Richland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Richland County (35.3) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Clay County, MN (43.0); Roberts County, SD (39.8); Cass County, ND (33.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Richland County's score of 35.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Richland 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 Richland County?

    Richland County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 16,558 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.