Sheridan County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.4 | 1,266 people · 26th most distressed in North Dakota
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Sheridan County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.4 — 2953rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within North Dakota, it ranks 26th of 53 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sheridan County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.7
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 73
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Economic Vitality 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 22.4
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 7
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Housing Cost Burden 5.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Sheridan County, ND 25.4 Healthy —
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy +4.4
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +1.4
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -3.3
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -3.9
McHenry County, ND 17.0 Healthy -8.4
McLean County, ND 15.1 Healthy -10.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheridan County
Rock County, NE 25.3 Healthy -0.0
Greeley County, KS 25.4 Healthy +0.0
Daggett County, UT 25.3 Healthy -0.1
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy +0.1
Weston County, WY 25.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sheridan 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 Sheridan County, North Dakota?

    Sheridan County has a County Distress Index score of 25.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,953rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sheridan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sheridan County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Sheridan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sheridan County (25.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pierce County, ND (29.8); Burleigh County, ND (26.8); Wells County, ND (22.0).

  • 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). Sheridan County's score of 25.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sheridan 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 Sheridan County?

    Sheridan County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 1,266 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.