Mills County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.2 | 14,633 people · 45th most distressed in Iowa
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Mills County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.2 — 2573rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Iowa, it ranks 45th 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. Mills County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 79
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 53
Legal Distress 44.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Housing Cost Burden 36.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 28.7
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 25
Structural Poverty 19.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 11
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mills County
Mills County, IA 33.2 Healthy —
Pottawattamie County, IA 51.5 Elevated +18.3
Montgomery County, IA 51.0 Elevated +17.8
Page County, IA 42.0 Normal +8.8
Sarpy County, NE 32.1 Healthy -1.1
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy -5.9
Fremont County, IA 26.5 Healthy -6.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mills County
Orange County, VT 33.2 Healthy +0.0
Moniteau County, MO 33.2 Healthy +0.0
Fremont County, ID 33.3 Healthy +0.1
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy -0.1
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Mills County has a County Distress Index score of 33.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,573rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mills County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mills County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Mills County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mills County (33.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pottawattamie County, IA (51.5); Montgomery County, IA (51.0); Page County, IA (42.0).

  • 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). Mills County's score of 33.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mills 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 Mills County?

    Mills County, Iowa has a population of approximately 14,633 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.