Muscatine County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.4 | 42,218 people · 21st most distressed in Iowa
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Muscatine County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.4 — 2100th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 21st of 99 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Muscatine County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 61.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 61.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Housing Cost Burden 49.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 46
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 47
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 47
Structural Poverty 39.6
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 30
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Consumer Credit Distress 37.0
Debt in Collections 42
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 41
Economic Vitality 32.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 63

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Muscatine County
Muscatine County, IA 41.4 Normal —
Rock Island County, IL 52.0 Elevated +10.6
Scott County, IA 44.2 Normal +2.7
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal -5.3
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy -11.0
Cedar County, IA 28.9 Healthy -12.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Muscatine County
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK 41.4 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +0.0
Montrose County, CO 41.5 Normal +0.0
Essex County, NY 41.4 Normal -0.1
Amador County, CA 41.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Muscatine County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Muscatine County.

MUSCATINE MUNICIPAL HOUSING AGENCY
Muscatine
563-264-1554 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Iowa →

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 Muscatine County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Muscatine County has a County Distress Index score of 41.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,100th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Muscatine County?

    The primary driver of distress in Muscatine County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 61.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Muscatine County compare to neighboring counties?

    Muscatine County (41.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Rock Island County, IL (52.0); Scott County, IA (44.2); Johnson County, IA (36.1).

  • 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). Muscatine County's score of 41.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Muscatine 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 Muscatine County?

    Muscatine County, Iowa has a population of approximately 42,218 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.