Calhoun County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.6 | 9,763 people · 81st most distressed in Iowa
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Calhoun County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.6 — 3000th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Iowa, it ranks 81st 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. Calhoun County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 43.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 43.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 32
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Economic Vitality 29.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 49
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Consumer Credit Distress 21.4
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 20
Housing Cost Burden 19.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 15
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy —
Greene County, IA 42.1 Normal +18.6
Webster County, IA 41.6 Normal +18.0
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy +8.6
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy +8.5
Carroll County, IA 23.3 Healthy -0.3
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -5.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Hamilton County, KS 23.6 Healthy +0.0
Day County, SD 23.7 Healthy +0.1
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -0.1
Sheridan County, KS 23.4 Healthy -0.2
Perkins County, SD 23.4 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Calhoun County has a County Distress Index score of 23.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,000th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calhoun County?

    The primary driver of distress in Calhoun County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 43.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Calhoun County compare to neighboring counties?

    Calhoun County (23.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Greene County, IA (42.1); Webster County, IA (41.6); Buena Vista County, IA (32.2).

  • 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). Calhoun County's score of 23.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Calhoun 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 Calhoun County?

    Calhoun County, Iowa has a population of approximately 9,763 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.