Cherokee County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.5 | 11,605 people · 47th most distressed in Iowa
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Cherokee County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.5 — 2618th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Iowa, it ranks 47th 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. Cherokee County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 60.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 60.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 8
Homeownership Rate 56
Consumer Credit Distress 26.6
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 15
Economic Vitality 26.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Structural Poverty 22.0
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 44
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 12
Legal Distress 14.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherokee County
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy —
Woodbury County, IA 51.5 Elevated +19.1
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy -0.3
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy -4.3
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy -5.1
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy -12.3
Ida County, IA 19.2 Healthy -13.3
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -14.2
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -14.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherokee County
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Currituck County, NC 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Hood River County, OR 32.5 Healthy +0.0
Le Sueur County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Henry County, OH 32.5 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, Iowa?

    Cherokee County has a County Distress Index score of 32.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,618th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cherokee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cherokee County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 60.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Cherokee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cherokee County (32.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Woodbury County, IA (51.5); Buena Vista County, IA (32.2); 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). Cherokee County's score of 32.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Cherokee 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 Cherokee County?

    Cherokee County, Iowa has a population of approximately 11,605 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.