Linn County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.1 | 228,972 people · 27th most distressed in Iowa
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Linn County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.1 — 2306th 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 27th of 99 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Linn County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 64.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 64.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 56
Legal Distress 54.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Consumer Credit Distress 31.0
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 36
Structural Poverty 23.1
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 35
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Economic Vitality 20.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 59

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Linn County
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal —
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal -2.0
Cedar County, IA 28.9 Healthy -9.2
Jones County, IA 26.1 Healthy -12.0
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy -13.7
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -14.0
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -14.3
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy -15.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Linn County
York County, VA 38.2 Normal +0.1
Christian County, MO 38.2 Normal +0.1
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal +0.1
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal -0.1
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Linn County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Linn County.

HORIZONS, A FAMILY SERVICE ALLIANCE (HORIZONS CCCS)
Cedar Rapids
319-398-3943
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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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 Linn 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 Linn County, Iowa?

    Linn County has a County Distress Index score of 38.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,306th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Linn County?

    The primary driver of distress in Linn County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 64.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Linn County compare to neighboring counties?

    Linn County (38.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Johnson County, IA (36.1); Cedar County, IA (28.9); Jones County, IA (26.1).

  • 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 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). Linn County's score of 38.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Linn 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 Linn County?

    Linn County, Iowa has a population of approximately 228,972 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.