Slope County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.1 | 674 people · 32nd most distressed in North Dakota
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Slope County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.1 — 3031st 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 32nd of 53 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Slope County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 63.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 63.4
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 79
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Economic Vitality 30.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 14.6
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 14.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14
Housing Cost Burden 12.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Slope County
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy —
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +12.6
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy +9.6
Adams County, ND 30.1 Healthy +8.0
Fallon County, MT 27.4 Healthy +5.3
Golden Valley County, ND 26.7 Healthy +4.7
Bowman County, ND 15.9 Healthy -6.2
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy -7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Slope County
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -0.0
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy +0.0
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy -0.1
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy +0.1
Davis County, IA 22.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Slope 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 Slope 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 Slope County, North Dakota?

    Slope County has a County Distress Index score of 22.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,031st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Slope County?

    The primary driver of distress in Slope County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 63.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Slope County compare to neighboring counties?

    Slope County (22.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Stark County, ND (34.6); Hettinger County, ND (31.6); Adams County, ND (30.1).

  • 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). Slope County's score of 22.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Slope 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 Slope County?

    Slope County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 674 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.