Jackson County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.7 | 19,342 people · 70th most distressed in Iowa
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Jackson County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.7 — 2907th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Iowa, it ranks 70th of 99 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jackson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 40.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 40.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Economic Vitality 38.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Housing Cost Burden 36.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 26
Structural Poverty 32.6
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Consumer Credit Distress 16.0
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy —
Clinton County, IA 49.5 Normal +22.8
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +6.9
Carroll County, IL 31.2 Healthy +4.5
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy +0.6
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy -0.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Falls Church city, VA 26.7 Healthy +0.0
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Addison County, VT 26.7 Healthy +0.0
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy +0.2
Spencer County, IN 26.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jackson County

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 Jackson 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 Jackson County, Iowa?

    Jackson County has a County Distress Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,907th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jackson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jackson 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 Jackson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jackson County (26.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Clinton County, IA (49.5); Dubuque County, IA (33.6); Carroll County, IL (31.2).

  • 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). Jackson County's score of 26.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jackson 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 Jackson County?

    Jackson County, Iowa has a population of approximately 19,342 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.