Hamilton County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.1 | 14,729 people · 63rd most distressed in Iowa
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Hamilton County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.1 — 2844th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Iowa, it ranks 63rd 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. Hamilton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 40.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 40.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Housing Cost Burden 36.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 53
Economic Vitality 27.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Consumer Credit Distress 24.4
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 29
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 24
Structural Poverty 21.7
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 24
Transfer Income Dependency 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy —
Webster County, IA 41.6 Normal +13.5
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal +9.5
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +6.9
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy +6.8
Franklin County, IA 30.0 Healthy +1.9
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy -3.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy +0.0
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy -0.1
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy +0.1
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy -0.2
Roseau County, MN 27.9 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hamilton County

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Hamilton County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Hamilton County has a County Distress Index score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,844th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hamilton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hamilton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 40.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hamilton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hamilton County (28.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Webster County, IA (41.6); Hardin County, IA (37.6); Wright County, IA (35.0).

  • 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). Hamilton County's score of 28.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?

    Hamilton County, Iowa has a population of approximately 14,729 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.