Jo Daviess County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.3 | 21,756 people · 91st most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Jo Daviess County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.3 — 2878th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Illinois, it ranks 91st of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jo Daviess County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 62.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 62.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 69
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 66
Homeownership Rate 11
Economic Vitality 37.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 4
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 14
Structural Poverty 30.5
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Legal Distress 16.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Consumer Credit Distress 9.4
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jo Daviess County
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy —
Stephenson County, IL 44.0 Normal +16.7
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +8.0
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +6.3
Carroll County, IL 31.2 Healthy +3.9
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy -0.6
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy -2.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jo Daviess County
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy +0.0
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy +0.0
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy -0.1
Custer County, NE 27.2 Healthy -0.1
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Jo Daviess County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Jo Daviess County

Find an Attorney

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

Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-922-8757

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Jo Daviess County residents at no cost.

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)
Legal Aid Chicago (formerly LAF) 312-341-1070
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid 217-525-7151
Prairie State Legal Services 1-800-531-7057
Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-922-8757

Self-Help Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online — Foreclosure Comprehensive self-help guides for Illinois foreclosure
IHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs and housing counselor referrals

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jo Daviess County, Illinois?

    Jo Daviess County has a County Distress Index score of 27.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,878th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 91st in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jo Daviess County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jo Daviess County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 62.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Jo Daviess County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jo Daviess County (27.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Stephenson County, IL (44.0); Grant County, WI (35.2); Dubuque County, IA (33.6).

  • 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). Jo Daviess County's score of 27.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Jo Daviess County's CDI score?

    Jo Daviess 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 Jo Daviess County?

    Jo Daviess County, Illinois has a population of approximately 21,756 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.