Sioux County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.1 | 36,246 people · 94th most distressed in Iowa
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Sioux County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.1 — 3101st 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 94th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sioux County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 51.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 51.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 30
Economic Vitality 24.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 24
Consumer Credit Distress 7.7
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 1
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 1
Structural Poverty 5.9
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 4
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 6
Legal Distress 1.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sioux County
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy —
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy +14.4
Osceola County, IA 27.8 Healthy +9.7
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy +9.3
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy +3.8
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy +2.2
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy +2.1
Lyon County, IA 11.4 Healthy -6.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sioux County
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy 0.0
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy -0.2
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy -0.4
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -0.4
Oconee County, GA 18.6 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Sioux County has a County Distress Index score of 18.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,101st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 94th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sioux County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sioux County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 51.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Sioux County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sioux County (18.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Cherokee County, IA (32.5); Osceola County, IA (27.8); 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). Sioux County's score of 18.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sioux 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 Sioux County?

    Sioux County, Iowa has a population of approximately 36,246 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.