North Dakota Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 53 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in North Dakota? See your options under North Dakota law →
North Dakota ranks #51 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does North Dakota Compare to the National Average?
North Dakota is above the national average on 0 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.0% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 2.9%, and total debt per capita at $53,300.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in North Dakota has risen 3.4pp and total household debt has grown 17.0%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
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 composite State Distress Index score fell from 10.5 to 8.9 over the same span.
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 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. North Dakota's State Distress Index of 8.7 (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 vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)North Dakota vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to North Dakota (#51) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Dakota | 8.7 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Vermont | 17.2 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Hampshire | 15.6 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| South Dakota | 9.4 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 5.6% | 9.0% | +3.4pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.9% | 2.9% | +0.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.79% | 0.94% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $45,550 | $53,300 | +17.0% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,200 | $3,970 | +24.1% | $4,350 |
North Dakota Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. North Dakota primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
North Dakota has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by advertisement and sale under N.D.C.C. § 32-19.1-01 et seq. — the standard and faster track for mortgages containing a power of sale clause; and (2) judicial foreclosure under N.
- Post-sale redemption: 60 days after non-judicial sale (N.D.C.C. § 32-19.1-09). ONE YEAR after judicial…
State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. North Dakota's credit card delinquency of 9.0% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. The state's Distress Index reads 8.7 (exceptionally low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup tracks 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 20.4 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rolette County | 54.9 | moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| Sioux County | 44.6 | moderate-low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Benson County | 34.0 | low-moderate county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Mountrail County | 31.9 | low-moderate county distress | Delinquency |
| McKenzie County | 31.7 | low-moderate county distress | Delinquency |
Rolette County ranks #1324 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| McLean County | 9.1 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Renville County | 9.8 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| LaMoure County | 9.9 | exceptionally low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Billings County | 10.7 | very low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Cavalier County | 10.8 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between North Dakota's most and least distressed counties is 45.8 points — Rolette County (54.9, moderate county distress) vs. McLean County (9.1, exceptionally low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 53 North Dakota counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in North Dakota
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 246 mortgage complaints from North Dakota since 2012 — 31.4 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. North Dakota ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| 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 Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. North Dakota's filing rate is below the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: North Dakota
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 9.6% of North Dakota residents have debt in collections — below the national rate 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. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: North Dakota
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA 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 31.6 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #44 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, 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 all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 5.6% in 2019.
How does North Dakota's household debt compare to the national average?
North Dakota residents carry $53,300 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 17.0% since 2019. North Dakota ranks #32 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in North Dakota?
Auto loan delinquency in North Dakota stands at 2.9% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #49 nationally. The rate has risen from 2.9% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does North Dakota use?
North Dakota primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full North Dakota foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is North Dakota above or below the national average for financial distress?
North Dakota scores 8.7 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), ranking #51 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 41.3 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in North Dakota?
The CFPB has received 246 mortgage complaints from North Dakota since 2012, a rate of 31.4 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #51 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 99.2% of North Dakota complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in North Dakota?
North Dakota had 620 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 79.1 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #43 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 88.7% and Chapter 13 for 10.2%. Filings changed +10.9% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in North Dakota have debt in collections?
9.6% of individuals in North Dakota have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #41 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 12.2% of North Dakota residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in North Dakota?
51,706 residents of North Dakota receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 6.6% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #44 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -9.1% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 6.1%.
How strong is North Dakota's financial safety net?
North Dakota scores 31.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #44 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (12.3% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (6.6%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
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 54.9 · moderate county distress, ranking #1324 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Sioux County (44.6 · moderate-low county distress), Benson County (34.0 · low-moderate county distress), Mountrail County (31.9 · low-moderate county distress) round out the top distressed counties. McLean County is the least distressed at 9.1 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 53 counties at /counties/north-dakota/.
How long can foreclosure take in North Dakota?
North Dakota uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. Timeline varies by county and complexity. Homeowners have a right to cure: Within the 90-day pre-foreclosure notice period (N.D.C.C. § 32-19.1-03). You can…. The homestead exemption is $150,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/north-dakota/.
Where does North Dakota rank for financial distress?
North Dakota scores 8.7 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), ranking #51 of 51 jurisdictions. Most metrics fall below national averages. The highest SDI domain is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #44 (Weak).
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. Updated quarterly.
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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.