Decatur County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.3 | 7,665 people · 15th most distressed in Iowa
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Decatur County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.3 — 2000th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Iowa, it ranks 15th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Decatur County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.1
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 79
Income vs. State Median 92
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 77
Economic Vitality 55.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 63
House Price Change (YoY) 77
Legal Distress 45.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Consumer Credit Distress 37.8
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 74
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 43
Housing Cost Burden 34.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 77

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Decatur County
Decatur County, IA 43.3 Normal —
Lucas County, IA 46.0 Normal +2.7
Harrison County, MO 45.6 Normal +2.4
Clarke County, IA 41.9 Normal -1.3
Union County, IA 37.7 Normal -5.5
Ringgold County, IA 34.0 Healthy -9.2
Mercer County, MO 34.0 Healthy -9.3
Wayne County, IA 32.5 Healthy -10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Decatur County
Carroll County, MO 43.2 Normal -0.0
Harding County, NM 43.4 Normal +0.1
Glasscock County, TX 43.4 Normal +0.1
Caldwell County, MO 43.1 Normal -0.2
Doddridge County, WV 43.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Decatur County has a County Distress Index score of 43.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,000th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Decatur County?

    The primary driver of distress in Decatur County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Decatur County compare to neighboring counties?

    Decatur County (43.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lucas County, IA (46.0); Harrison County, MO (45.6); Clarke County, IA (41.9).

  • 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 Normal 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). Decatur County's score of 43.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Decatur 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 Decatur County?

    Decatur County, Iowa has a population of approximately 7,665 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.