Van Buren County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 7,266 people · 25th most distressed in Iowa
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Van Buren County, IA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2205th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Iowa, it ranks 25th of 99 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Van Buren County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 66.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 66.3
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 71
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Legal Distress 48.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 43.7
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 73
Auto Loan Delinquency 45
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 78
Subprime Credit Population 19
Economic Vitality 34.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 29
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 14.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 27
Homeownership Rate 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
Van Buren County, IA 39.8 Normal —
Wapello County, IA 64.5 Elevated +24.7
Clark County, MO 53.1 Elevated +13.4
Jefferson County, IA 49.8 Normal +10.0
Lee County, IA 47.7 Normal +8.0
Henry County, IA 41.1 Normal +1.3
Scotland County, MO 32.3 Healthy -7.5
Davis County, IA 22.3 Healthy -17.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
Putnam County, MO 39.8 Normal +0.0
Mountrail County, ND 39.8 Normal +0.0
Ottawa County, KS 39.8 Normal +0.0
Wilson County, KS 40.0 Normal +0.2
Martin County, IN 39.5 Normal -0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Van Buren County as a CSV file.

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Iowa State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 515-243-3179

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Van Buren County, Iowa?

    Van Buren County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,205th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Van Buren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Van Buren County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 66.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Van Buren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Van Buren County (39.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Wapello County, IA (64.5); Clark County, MO (53.1); Jefferson County, IA (49.8).

  • 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). Van Buren County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Van Buren County's CDI score?

    Van Buren 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 Van Buren County?

    Van Buren County, Iowa has a population of approximately 7,266 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.