Emmet County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.9 | 9,229 people · 41st most distressed in Iowa
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Emmet County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.9 — 2529th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Iowa, it ranks 41st 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. Emmet County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 50.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 50.8
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Housing Cost Burden 41.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 31
Economic Vitality 35.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 40
Legal Distress 29.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 26.1
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 67
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmet County
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy —
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal +1.6
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy -5.7
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -7.0
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -7.9
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -10.0
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmet County
Mercer County, MO 34.0 Healthy +0.1
Skagway Municipality, AK 34.0 Healthy +0.1
Ringgold County, IA 34.0 Healthy +0.1
Rush County, KS 33.8 Healthy -0.1
Scott County, IL 34.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Emmet County has a County Distress Index score of 33.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,529th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Emmet County?

    The primary driver of distress in Emmet County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 50.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Emmet County compare to neighboring counties?

    Emmet County (33.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Martin County, MN (35.5); Clay County, IA (28.2); Kossuth County, IA (26.9).

  • 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 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). Emmet County's score of 33.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Emmet 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 Emmet County?

    Emmet County, Iowa has a population of approximately 9,229 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.