Monroe County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.6 | 7,504 people · 24th most distressed in Iowa
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Monroe County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.6 — 2155th 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 24th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 62.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 62.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 58.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Structural Poverty 43.5
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 47
Transfer Income Dependency 41
Consumer Credit Distress 32.3
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 29
Economic Vitality 12.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, IA 40.6 Normal —
Wapello County, IA 64.5 Elevated +23.9
Appanoose County, IA 51.1 Elevated +10.5
Lucas County, IA 46.0 Normal +5.3
Wayne County, IA 32.5 Healthy -8.1
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy -12.3
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy -13.7
Davis County, IA 22.3 Healthy -18.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Hardin County, IL 40.6 Normal -0.0
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal -0.1
Pleasants County, WV 40.7 Normal +0.1
Nome Census Area, AK 40.5 Normal -0.1
Mora County, NM 40.8 Normal +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Monroe 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 Monroe County, Iowa?

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,155th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 62.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (40.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Wapello County, IA (64.5); Appanoose County, IA (51.1); Lucas County, IA (46.0).

  • 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 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). Monroe County's score of 40.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Monroe 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 Monroe County?

    Monroe County, Iowa has a population of approximately 7,504 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.