Marion County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.3 | 33,770 people · 61st most distressed in Iowa
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Marion County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.3 — 2835th 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 61st of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Marion County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 50.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 50.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 31
Legal Distress 49.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 20.9
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 15.9
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Economic Vitality 15.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marion County
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy —
Lucas County, IA 46.0 Normal +17.6
Polk County, IA 43.6 Normal +15.3
Jasper County, IA 42.7 Normal +14.4
Monroe County, IA 40.6 Normal +12.3
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy +0.4
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marion County
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy -0.1
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy +0.1
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Marion County has a County Distress Index score of 28.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,835th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marion County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marion County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 50.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Marion County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marion County (28.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lucas County, IA (46.0); Polk County, IA (43.6); Jasper County, IA (42.7).

  • 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 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). Marion County's score of 28.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Marion 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 Marion County?

    Marion County, Iowa has a population of approximately 33,770 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.