Towner County, North Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.9 | 2,030 people · 37th most distressed in North Dakota
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Towner County, ND ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.9 — 3074th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within North Dakota, it ranks 37th of 53 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Towner County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 30.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 30.5
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Housing Cost Burden 25.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 34
Consumer Credit Distress 17.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 5
Economic Vitality 13.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Legal Distress 9.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Towner County
Towner County, ND 19.9 Healthy —
Rolette County, ND 57.1 Elevated +37.2
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal +19.1
Ramsey County, ND 31.6 Healthy +11.7
Pierce County, ND 29.8 Healthy +9.9
Cavalier County, ND 15.7 Healthy -4.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Towner County
Custer County, SD 19.9 Healthy 0.0
Gove County, KS 19.9 Healthy +0.0
Dickey County, ND 19.8 Healthy -0.1
Marshall County, MN 19.8 Healthy -0.1
Traill County, ND 20.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Towner 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 Towner 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 Towner County, North Dakota?

    Towner County has a County Distress Index score of 19.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,074th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 37th in North Dakota out of 53 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Towner County?

    The primary driver of distress in Towner County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 30.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Towner County compare to neighboring counties?

    Towner County (19.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Rolette County, ND (57.1); Benson County, ND (39.0); Ramsey 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). Towner County's score of 19.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Towner 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 Towner County?

    Towner County, North Dakota has a population of approximately 2,030 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.