Stark County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.6 | 33,001 people · 11th most distressed in North Dakota
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Stark County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.6 — 2499th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within North Dakota, it ranks 11th of 53 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stark County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 53.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 53.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 85
Consumer Credit Distress 39.8
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 46
Legal Distress 19.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19
Structural Poverty 12.2
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 4
Economic Vitality 7.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 1
Rent-to-Income Ratio 4
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stark County
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy —
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Grant County, ND 33.7 Healthy -0.9
Hettinger County, ND 31.6 Healthy -3.0
Mercer County, ND 29.9 Healthy -4.7
Dunn County, ND 25.4 Healthy -9.2
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy -12.6
Billings County, ND 14.6 Healthy -20.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stark County
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy 0.0
Woodford County, KY 34.6 Healthy +0.0
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy +0.1
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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State Bar Association of North Dakota Lawyer Referral Service 701-255-1404

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Stark County has a County Distress Index score of 34.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,499th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stark County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stark County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 53.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stark County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stark County (34.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Morton County, ND (34.6); Grant County, ND (33.7); Hettinger County, ND (31.6).

  • 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). Stark County's score of 34.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stark 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 Stark County?

    Stark County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 33,001 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.