Hancock County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.2 | 10,615 people · 76th most distressed in Iowa
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Hancock County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.2 — 2988th 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 76th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hancock County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 48.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 48.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 11
Structural Poverty 28.1
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Economic Vitality 21.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 93
Legal Distress 17.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 18
Consumer Credit Distress 13.1
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy —
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +10.8
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +7.7
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy +5.9
Franklin County, IA 30.0 Healthy +5.8
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy +2.7
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -1.0
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy -1.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -0.1
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy -0.2
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy +0.2
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy +0.2
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Hancock County has a County Distress Index score of 24.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,988th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 76th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hancock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hancock County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 48.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Hancock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hancock County (24.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Wright County, IA (35.0); Winnebago County, IA (31.9); Cerro Gordo County, IA (30.1).

  • 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). Hancock County's score of 24.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hancock 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 Hancock County?

    Hancock County, Iowa has a population of approximately 10,615 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.