North Dakota Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for North Dakota and its 53 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in North Dakota? See your options under North Dakota law →
North Dakota ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the least distressed fifth: its score of 0 means it is less distressed than nearly every other state. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 53 counties.
How Does North Dakota Compare With the U.S.?
North Dakota is above the U.S. figure on 0 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025. Credit card delinquency is 9.0%, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $53,300, $9,900 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in North Dakota is up 3.4 percentage points from 5.6% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 17% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: North Dakota
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, North Dakota has held at the 51st-most distressed jurisdiction, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score held at 0.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. North Dakota's State Distress Index of 0 (exceptionally low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
North Dakota and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)North Dakota and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to North Dakota (#51) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 0 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Vermont | 6 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Hampshire | 4 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| South Dakota | 2 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 5.6% | 9.0% | +3.4 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.9% | 2.9% | No change | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.79% | 0.94% | +0.15 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $45,550 | $53,300 | +17% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,200 | $3,970 | +24.1% | $4,350 |
North Dakota Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. North Dakota mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
North Dakota forecloses ordinary home loans in court. N.D.C.C. § 35-22-01 allows foreclosure by advertisement (no court) only for mortgages held by the state or its agencies; every other mortgage must be foreclosed by action under N.D.C.C. ch.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Within 30 days after the notice before foreclosure is served (N.D.C.C. § 32-19-28). If you perform the mortgage conditions the default was based on within those 30 days, for example by paying the amount due stated in the notice, the mortgage is reinstated as though no default had occurred.
- Post-sale redemption: 60 days after the sheriff's sale in a mortgage foreclosure (N.D.C.C. § 32-19-18). Agricultural land can be redeemed within 365 days after the summons and complaint are filed, but not earlier than 60 days after the sale. If the court finds the property abandoned, it can eliminate the redemption period (N.D.C.C. § 32-19-19).
How North Dakota Sits Among the States
North Dakota's credit card delinquency rate is 9.0%, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #48 of 51. 0 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 0 (exceptionally low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in North Dakota on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. North Dakota's 53 counties average 11.5: on average, North Dakota's counties are more distressed than 11% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolette County | 86 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Sioux County | 56 | moderate county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Benson County | 50 | moderate county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Mountrail County | 36 | low-moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| Grant County | 30 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Billings County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Delinquency |
| Steele County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Delinquency |
| LaMoure County | 0 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Bowman County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
The most distressed county in North Dakota is Rolette County (86, very high county distress); the least distressed is McLean County (0, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 53 North Dakota counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in North Dakota
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 251 mortgage complaints from North Dakota since 2012, 32.0 per 100,000 residents, 103 below the U.S. rate of 135. North Dakota ranks #51 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 7 | 10 | 16 | 20 | 17 | 14 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: North Dakota
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. North Dakota's rate of 79.1 is 90 below the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: North Dakota
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 9.6% of people with a credit file in North Dakota have debt in collections, 4.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 12.2% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 31.3% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: North Dakota
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: North Dakota
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. North Dakota scores 29.2 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #44 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in North Dakota?
The credit card delinquency rate in North Dakota is 9.0% as of Q4 2025, ranking #48 among the 51 states and DC, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.4 percentage points from 5.6% in Q4 2019.
How does North Dakota's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $53,300 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in North Dakota, $9,900 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 17% higher than in Q4 2019. North Dakota ranks #32 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in North Dakota?
Auto loan delinquency in North Dakota is 2.9% as of Q4 2025, 2.3 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #48 of 51. The rate is the same as in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does North Dakota use?
North Dakota mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our North Dakota foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is North Dakota's State Distress Index score?
North Dakota scores 0 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is less distressed than nearly every other state. It ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in North Dakota?
The CFPB has received 251 mortgage complaints from North Dakota since 2012, 32.0 per 100,000 residents, 103 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #51 of 51. Companies responded to 99.2% of North Dakota complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in North Dakota?
North Dakota had 620 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 79.1 per 100,000 residents, 90 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #43 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 88.7% and Chapter 13 for 10.2%. That is 10.9% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in North Dakota have debt in collections?
9.6% of people with a credit file in North Dakota have debt in collections, 4.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #40 of 51. 12.2% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 4.7 percentage points below the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in North Dakota?
52,904 residents of North Dakota received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 6.8%, 4 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #43 of 51. That is 3.4% more people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.7 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is North Dakota's financial safety net?
North Dakota scores 29.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #44 of 51 (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (12.3% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (6.8%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which North Dakota counties have the highest financial distress?
Rolette County is the most distressed county in North Dakota with a County Distress Index score of 86 · very high county distress. Sioux County (56 · moderate county distress), Benson County (50 · moderate county distress), Mountrail County (36 · low-moderate county distress) are next. McLean County is the least distressed at 0 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 53 counties at /counties/north-dakota/.
How long can foreclosure take in North Dakota?
North Dakota mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Within 30 days after the notice before foreclosure is served (N.D.C.C. § 32-19-28). If you perform the mortgage conditions the default was based on within those 30 days, for example by paying the amount due stated in the notice, the mortgage is reinstated as though no default had occurred. Homestead exemption: $150,000. Protects up to $150,000 of equity in your primary residence from judgment creditors. Does NOT stop mortgage foreclosure. Full details at /help/foreclosure/north-dakota/.
Where does North Dakota rank for financial distress?
North Dakota scores 0 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is less distressed than nearly every other state. It ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. 0 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #44 (Minimal).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
North Dakota Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.