Madison County, Idaho

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 54,547 people · 15th most distressed in Idaho
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Madison County, ID falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2200th 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 Idaho, it ranks 15th of 44 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Madison County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 82.6 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 82.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 91
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 99
Economic Vitality 68.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Structural Poverty 44.4
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Legal Distress 18.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18
Consumer Credit Distress 16.3
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Madison County, ID 39.8 Normal —
Bonneville County, ID 41.6 Normal +1.8
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy -6.6
Teton County, ID 31.9 Healthy -7.9
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy -13.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
James City County, VA 39.9 Normal +0.1
Augusta County, VA 39.8 Normal -0.1
Skagit County, WA 40.0 Normal +0.2
Bradford County, PA 39.6 Normal -0.3
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Madison County

Find an Attorney

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Idaho State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 208-334-4500

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Madison County residents at no cost.

Idaho Legal Aid Services, Inc. 208-336-8980
Idaho Volunteer Lawyers Program 208-334-4500

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Madison County, Idaho?

    Madison County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,200th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Idaho out of 44 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Madison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Madison County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 82.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Madison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Madison County (39.8) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Bonneville County, ID (41.6); Fremont County, ID (33.3); Teton County, ID (31.9).

  • 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 Normal 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). Madison County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Madison 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 Madison County?

    Madison County, Idaho has a population of approximately 54,547 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.