Marshall County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.3 | 40,014 people · 36th most distressed in Iowa
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Marshall County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.3 — 2460th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Iowa, it ranks 36th 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. Marshall County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.2
Unemployment Rate 97
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Legal Distress 43.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Housing Cost Burden 32.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 56
Consumer Credit Distress 31.7
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 21
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 42
Economic Vitality 28.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 45

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marshall County
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal —
Jasper County, IA 42.7 Normal +7.4
Poweshiek County, IA 38.7 Normal +3.4
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal +2.3
Tama County, IA 35.1 Normal -0.2
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy -0.4
Grundy County, IA 16.6 Healthy -18.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marshall County
Harvey County, KS 35.3 Normal +0.0
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +0.0
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal -0.1
Lewis County, NY 35.4 Normal +0.1
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal -0.1

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Marshall County has a County Distress Index score of 35.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,460th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marshall County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marshall County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Marshall County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marshall County (35.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jasper County, IA (42.7); Poweshiek County, IA (38.7); Hardin County, IA (37.6).

  • 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). Marshall County's score of 35.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Marshall 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 Marshall County?

    Marshall County, Iowa has a population of approximately 40,014 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.