Iowa County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.1 | 16,381 people · 78th most distressed in Iowa
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Iowa County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.1 — 2991st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 78th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Iowa County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 51.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 51.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Housing Cost Burden 41.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 41
Economic Vitality 31.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Structural Poverty 21.5
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Consumer Credit Distress 11.1
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Iowa County
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy —
Poweshiek County, IA 38.7 Normal +14.6
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal +14.0
Keokuk County, IA 38.0 Normal +13.9
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal +12.0
Tama County, IA 35.1 Normal +11.0
Washington County, IA 27.5 Healthy +3.4
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy -1.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Iowa County
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy -0.1
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy +0.1
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -0.1
Yankton County, SD 23.9 Healthy -0.2
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Iowa 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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Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Iowa County has a County Distress Index score of 24.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,991st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 78th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Iowa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Iowa County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 51.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Iowa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Iowa County (24.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Poweshiek County, IA (38.7); Linn County, IA (38.1); Keokuk County, IA (38.0).

  • 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). Iowa County's score of 24.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Iowa 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 Iowa County?

    Iowa County, Iowa has a population of approximately 16,381 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.