Osceola County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.8 | 5,978 people · 64th most distressed in Iowa
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Osceola County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.8 — 2860th 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 64th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Osceola County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 59.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 59.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 29
Economic Vitality 28.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Structural Poverty 25.4
Unemployment Rate 5
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Consumer Credit Distress 16.4
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 9.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Osceola County
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy —
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy +4.8
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy +0.4
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy -0.4
Jackson County, MN 26.1 Healthy -1.7
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -3.8
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -9.7
Lyon County, IA 11.4 Healthy -16.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Osceola County
Beaver County, UT 27.8 Healthy +0.0
Atchison County, MO 27.7 Healthy -0.0
Logan County, KS 27.9 Healthy +0.1
Phillips County, MT 27.9 Healthy +0.1
Franklin County, NE 27.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Osceola County has a County Distress Index score of 27.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,860th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Osceola County?

    The primary driver of distress in Osceola County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 59.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Osceola County compare to neighboring counties?

    Osceola County (27.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Nobles County, MN (32.5); Clay County, IA (28.2); O'Brien County, IA (27.4).

  • 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). Osceola County's score of 27.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Osceola 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 Osceola County?

    Osceola County, Iowa has a population of approximately 5,978 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.