Dubuque County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.6 | 98,887 people · 42nd most distressed in Iowa
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Dubuque County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.6 — 2553rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Iowa, it ranks 42nd of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dubuque County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 86
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 56
Legal Distress 48.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Economic Vitality 29.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Structural Poverty 21.9
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 9
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 16.7
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 4
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dubuque County
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy —
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +1.6
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy -4.5
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -6.3
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy -6.9
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy -7.5
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy -9.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dubuque County
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -0.0
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -0.1
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +0.1
York County, ME 33.8 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dubuque County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Dubuque County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DUBUQUE
Dubuque
563-588-0558
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase
EASTERN IOWA REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
DUBUQUE
563-556-4166 Website
Financial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Iowa →

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 Dubuque 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Dubuque County has a County Distress Index score of 33.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,553rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dubuque County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dubuque County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Dubuque County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dubuque County (33.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Grant County, WI (35.2); Clayton County, IA (29.1); Jo Daviess County, IL (27.3).

  • 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). Dubuque County's score of 33.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dubuque 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 Dubuque County?

    Dubuque County, Iowa has a population of approximately 98,887 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.