Keokuk County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.0 | 9,914 people · 28th most distressed in Iowa
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Keokuk County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.0 — 2311th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Iowa, it ranks 28th of 99 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Keokuk County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Housing Cost Burden 55.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 51
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 48
Homeownership Rate 24
Structural Poverty 44.2
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 55
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Economic Vitality 26.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Consumer Credit Distress 25.7
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Keokuk County
Keokuk County, IA 38.0 Normal —
Wapello County, IA 64.5 Elevated +26.5
Jefferson County, IA 49.8 Normal +11.8
Poweshiek County, IA 38.7 Normal +0.7
Washington County, IA 27.5 Healthy -10.5
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy -11.1
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -13.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Keokuk County
Jefferson County, NE 38.1 Normal +0.1
Hot Springs County, WY 38.0 Normal -0.1
Wirt County, WV 38.1 Normal +0.1
Sitka City and Borough, AK 37.9 Normal -0.2
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal +0.2

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Keokuk County has a County Distress Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,311th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Keokuk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Keokuk County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Keokuk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Keokuk County (38.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Wapello County, IA (64.5); Jefferson County, IA (49.8); Poweshiek County, IA (38.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). Keokuk County's score of 38.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Keokuk 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 Keokuk County?

    Keokuk County, Iowa has a population of approximately 9,914 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.