Benton County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.8 | 25,796 people · 85th most distressed in Iowa
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Benton County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.8 — 3019th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 85th of 99 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Benton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 50.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 50.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Housing Cost Burden 27.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 4
Economic Vitality 26.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Consumer Credit Distress 17.8
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 18
Structural Poverty 14.8
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 13
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Benton County
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy —
Black Hawk County, IA 51.4 Elevated +28.5
Poweshiek County, IA 38.7 Normal +15.9
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal +15.3
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal +13.3
Tama County, IA 35.1 Normal +12.2
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy +1.3
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy +1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Benton County
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy +0.0
Wyoming County, NY 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Hughes County, SD 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy -0.2
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Benton County

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

Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Benton County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Benton County has a County Distress Index score of 22.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,019th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Benton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Benton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 50.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Benton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Benton County (22.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Black Hawk County, IA (51.4); Poweshiek County, IA (38.7); Linn County, IA (38.1).

  • 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). Benton County's score of 22.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Benton 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 Benton County?

    Benton County, Iowa has a population of approximately 25,796 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.