Story County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.9 | 98,566 people · 39th most distressed in Iowa
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Story County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.9 — 2481st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Iowa, it ranks 39th of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Story County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 91.5 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 91.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 89
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 96
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 96
Economic Vitality 38.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Structural Poverty 22.0
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 3
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Legal Distress 16.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Consumer Credit Distress 14.3
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Story County
Story County, IA 34.9 Healthy —
Polk County, IA 43.6 Normal +8.7
Jasper County, IA 42.7 Normal +7.8
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal +2.7
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal +0.4
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy -6.8
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy -10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Story County
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy +0.0
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy +0.0
Rice County, MN 34.7 Healthy -0.2
Cache County, UT 35.1 Normal +0.2
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Story County

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Story County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Story County has a County Distress Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,481st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Story County?

    The primary driver of distress in Story County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 91.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Story County compare to neighboring counties?

    Story County (34.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Polk County, IA (43.6); Jasper County, IA (42.7); Hardin County, IA (37.6).

  • 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). Story County's score of 34.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Story 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 Story County?

    Story County, Iowa has a population of approximately 98,566 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.