Allamakee County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.7 | 14,074 people · 71st most distressed in Iowa
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Allamakee County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.7 — 2910th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Iowa, it ranks 71st of 99 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. Allamakee County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 46.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 46.1
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 37
Housing Cost Burden 39.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 25
Economic Vitality 37.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Legal Distress 28.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 13.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Allamakee County
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy —
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal +10.7
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy +4.5
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy +2.4
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy +0.2
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -0.8
Winneshiek County, IA 16.2 Healthy -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Allamakee County
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy +0.0
Falls Church city, VA 26.7 Healthy +0.0
Addison County, VT 26.7 Healthy +0.1
Spencer County, IN 26.5 Healthy -0.1
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Allamakee County, Iowa?

    Allamakee County has a County Distress Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,910th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Allamakee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Allamakee County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 46.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Allamakee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Allamakee County (26.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Fayette County, IA (37.4); Crawford County, WI (31.1); Clayton County, IA (29.1).

  • 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). Allamakee County's score of 26.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Allamakee 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 Allamakee County?

    Allamakee County, Iowa has a population of approximately 14,074 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.