Carroll County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 23.3 | 20,522 people · 83rd most distressed in Iowa
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Carroll County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 23.3 — 3006th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Iowa, it ranks 83rd of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carroll County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 42.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 42.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 60
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 47
Economic Vitality 34.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Structural Poverty 28.7
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Legal Distress 21.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 10.7
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, IA 23.3 Healthy —
Greene County, IA 42.1 Normal +18.8
Crawford County, IA 38.0 Normal +14.6
Audubon County, IA 36.6 Normal +13.3
Shelby County, IA 31.0 Healthy +7.7
Guthrie County, IA 29.8 Healthy +6.4
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy +0.3
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -5.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Cumberland County, IL 23.3 Healthy 0.0
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy +0.3
Hughes County, SD 22.9 Healthy -0.4
Wyoming County, NY 22.9 Healthy -0.4
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 23.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,006th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 42.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (23.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Greene County, IA (42.1); Crawford County, IA (38.0); Audubon County, IA (36.6).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 23.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Iowa has a population of approximately 20,522 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.