Kossuth County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.9 | 14,396 people · 68th most distressed in Iowa
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Kossuth County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.9 — 2892nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Iowa, it ranks 68th of 99 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kossuth County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 42.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 42.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 30
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 45
Structural Poverty 32.1
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Economic Vitality 26.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 70
Consumer Credit Distress 20.7
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 15
Legal Distress 11.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kossuth County
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy —
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal +8.9
Martin County, MN 35.5 Normal +8.6
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +8.1
Emmet County, IA 33.9 Healthy +7.0
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy +5.2
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +5.0
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy -2.7
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -3.5
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -3.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kossuth County
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy -0.0
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy -0.0
Pitkin County, CO 27.0 Healthy +0.0
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy -0.1
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Kossuth County has a County Distress Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,892nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kossuth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kossuth County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 42.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kossuth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kossuth County (26.9) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Faribault County, MN (35.9); Martin County, MN (35.5); 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). Kossuth County's score of 26.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kossuth 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 Kossuth County?

    Kossuth County, Iowa has a population of approximately 14,396 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.