Stutsman County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.9 | 21,392 people · 17th most distressed in North Dakota
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Stutsman County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.9 — 2705th 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 17th of 53 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stutsman County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 87
Structural Poverty 34.2
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 63
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Economic Vitality 20.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 4
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 16.8
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 17
Legal Distress 6.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stutsman County
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy —
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy +2.1
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy -6.5
Foster County, ND 23.9 Healthy -7.0
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -8.9
Kidder County, ND 21.4 Healthy -9.5
Griggs County, ND 18.3 Healthy -12.6
LaMoure County, ND 12.3 Healthy -18.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stutsman County
McLeod County, MN 30.9 Healthy -0.0
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
De Witt County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.1
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy +0.1
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stutsman 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 Stutsman 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 Stutsman County, North Dakota?

    Stutsman County has a County Distress Index score of 30.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,705th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stutsman County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stutsman County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stutsman County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stutsman County (30.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Barnes County, ND (33.1); Logan County, ND (24.4); Foster County, ND (23.9).

  • 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). Stutsman County's score of 30.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stutsman 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 Stutsman County?

    Stutsman County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 21,392 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.