AP Economic Stress Index shows 20 most stressed, 20 least stressed counties in December

20 most stressed, least stressed counties

Here are the 20 most economically stressed counties with populations of at least 25,000 and their March 2010 Stress scores, according to The Associated Press Economic Stress Index:

1. Imperial County, Calif., 31.27

2. Merced County, Calif., 28.29

3. Lyon County, Nev., 27.96

4. San Benito County, Calif., 27.26

5. Sutter County, Calif., 26.41

6. Yuba County, Calif., 25.8

7. Stanislaus County, Calif., 25.46

8. Iosco County, Mich., 24.89

9. San Joaquin County, Calif., 24.78

10. Nye County, Nevada., 24.19

11. Lapeer County, Mich., 24.03

12. Cheboygan County, Mich., 23.89

13. Luna County, N.M., 23.82

14. Lake County, Calif., 23.78

15. Kern County, Calif., 23.62

16. Tulare County, Calif., 23.17

17. Madera County, Calif., 23.04

18. Fresno County, Calif., 22.72

19. Clark County, Nevada, 22.65

20. Boone County, Ill., 22.59

A list of the 20 least economically stressed counties with populations of at least 25,000 and their March 2010 Stress scores, according to The Associated Press Economic Stress Index:

1. Ford County, Kan., 4.07

2. Ellis County, Kan., 4.17

3. Brown County, S.D., 4.6

4. Brookings County, S.D., 4.66

5. Finney County, Kan., 4.89

6. Riley County, Kan., 5.08

7. Buffalo County, Neb., 5.19

8. Ward County, N.D., 5.22

9. Grand Forks County, N.D., 5.30

10. Lafourche Parish, La., 5.31

11. Burleigh County, N.D., 5.36

12. Platte County, Neb., 5.49

13. Johnson County, Iowa, 5.5

14. Arlington County, Va., 5.54

15. Albany County, Wyo., 5.59

16. Terrebonne Parish, Louisiana, 5.67

17. Custer County, Okla., 5.7

18. Lincoln County, S.D., 5.72

19. Madison County, Neb., 5.74

20. Bryan County, Okla., 5.75

Source: AP Economic Stress Index