Butler County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.1 | 14,172 people · 93rd most distressed in Iowa
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Butler County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.1 — 3100th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Iowa, it ranks 93rd of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Butler County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 28.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 28.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Structural Poverty 27.3
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 35
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Housing Cost Burden 26.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 19
Economic Vitality 21.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Consumer Credit Distress 9.3
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy —
Black Hawk County, IA 51.4 Elevated +33.3
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal +19.4
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy +11.9
Franklin County, IA 30.0 Healthy +11.9
Floyd County, IA 27.7 Healthy +9.6
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy +0.6
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy -0.4
Grundy County, IA 16.6 Healthy -1.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy 0.0
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy -0.2
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy -0.4
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -0.4
Oconee County, GA 18.6 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Butler 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

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Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Butler County has a County Distress Index score of 18.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,100th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 93rd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Butler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Butler County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 28.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Butler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Butler County (18.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Black Hawk County, IA (51.4); Hardin County, IA (37.6); Cerro Gordo County, IA (30.1).

  • 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). Butler County's score of 18.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Butler 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 Butler County?

    Butler County, Iowa has a population of approximately 14,172 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.