Cerro Gordo County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.1 | 42,406 people · 53rd most distressed in Iowa
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Cerro Gordo County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.1 — 2752nd 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 53rd of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cerro Gordo County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 36.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 36.4
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Economic Vitality 32.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Housing Cost Burden 32.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 64
Consumer Credit Distress 27.3
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 30
Legal Distress 26.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cerro Gordo County
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy —
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +4.9
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +1.8
Franklin County, IA 30.0 Healthy -0.0
Floyd County, IA 27.7 Healthy -2.3
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy -5.9
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy -7.4
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy -11.9
Mitchell County, IA 17.5 Healthy -12.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cerro Gordo County
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy -0.0
Floyd County, VA 29.9 Healthy -0.1
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy +0.2
Meeker County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.2
Koochiching County, MN 29.9 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Cerro Gordo County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Cerro Gordo County

Find an Attorney

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 Cerro Gordo County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Iowa →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Cerro Gordo County, Iowa?

    Cerro Gordo County has a County Distress Index score of 30.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,752nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cerro Gordo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cerro Gordo County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 36.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cerro Gordo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cerro Gordo County (30.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Wright County, IA (35.0); Winnebago County, IA (31.9); Franklin County, IA (30.0).

  • 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). Cerro Gordo County's score of 30.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Cerro Gordo County's CDI score?

    Cerro Gordo 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 Cerro Gordo County?

    Cerro Gordo County, Iowa has a population of approximately 42,406 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.