Delaware County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.4 | 17,600 people · 75th most distressed in Iowa
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Delaware County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.4 — 2984th 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 75th of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Delaware County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 61.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 61.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 89
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 9
Structural Poverty 27.8
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Economic Vitality 27.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 69
Legal Distress 16.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16
Consumer Credit Distress 7.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 18
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy —
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal +13.7
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal +13.0
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +9.2
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy +4.7
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy +1.7
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -0.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy +0.0
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy +0.0
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy -0.2
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -0.3
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Delaware County has a County Distress Index score of 24.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,984th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 75th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Delaware County?

    The primary driver of distress in Delaware County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 61.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Delaware County compare to neighboring counties?

    Delaware County (24.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Linn County, IA (38.1); Fayette County, IA (37.4); Dubuque County, IA (33.6).

  • 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). Delaware County's score of 24.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Delaware 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 Delaware County?

    Delaware County, Iowa has a population of approximately 17,600 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.