Pocahontas County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.1 | 6,976 people · 49th most distressed in Iowa
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Pocahontas County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.1 — 2648th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Iowa, it ranks 49th of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pocahontas County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 39.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 39.8
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Consumer Credit Distress 36.2
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 60
Uninsured Rate 41
Subprime Credit Population 40
Economic Vitality 29.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Housing Cost Burden 25.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 26
Legal Distress 13.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pocahontas County
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy —
Webster County, IA 41.6 Normal +9.5
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy +0.1
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy -3.9
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -5.2
Calhoun County, IA 23.6 Healthy -8.5
Palo Alto County, IA 23.4 Healthy -8.7
Humboldt County, IA 23.2 Healthy -8.9
Sac County, IA 18.3 Healthy -13.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pocahontas County
Deuel County, NE 32.1 Healthy +0.0
Coffey County, KS 32.2 Healthy +0.1
Piute County, UT 32.3 Healthy +0.2
Brown County, IL 31.9 Healthy -0.2
Logan County, NE 31.9 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Pocahontas County has a County Distress Index score of 32.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,648th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pocahontas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pocahontas County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 39.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pocahontas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pocahontas County (32.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Webster County, IA (41.6); Buena Vista County, IA (32.2); Clay County, IA (28.2).

  • 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). Pocahontas County's score of 32.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pocahontas 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 Pocahontas County?

    Pocahontas County, Iowa has a population of approximately 6,976 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.