Buena Vista County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.2 | 20,567 people · 48th most distressed in Iowa
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Buena Vista County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.2 — 2643rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency rates remain below the national norm. Within Iowa, it ranks 48th of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Buena Vista County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 34.0 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 34.0
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 45
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 45
Economic Vitality 33.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Structural Poverty 31.8
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 61
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Legal Distress 29.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Housing Cost Burden 28.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 60

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Buena Vista County
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy —
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy +0.3
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy -0.1
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy -3.9
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy -4.8
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy -8.6
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -8.7
Ida County, IA 19.2 Healthy -13.0
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -13.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Buena Vista County
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy +0.0
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy -0.0
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy -0.0
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -0.1
Nantucket County, MA 32.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Buena Vista County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Buena Vista County

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Buena Vista County, Iowa?

    Buena Vista County has a County Distress Index score of 32.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,643rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Buena Vista County?

    The primary driver of distress in Buena Vista County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 34.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Buena Vista County compare to neighboring counties?

    Buena Vista County (32.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Cherokee County, IA (32.5); Pocahontas County, IA (32.1); Clay County, IA (28.2).

  • 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). Buena Vista County's score of 32.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Buena Vista County's CDI score?

    Buena Vista 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 Buena Vista County?

    Buena Vista County, Iowa has a population of approximately 20,567 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.