Warren County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.7 | 55,205 people · 59th most distressed in Iowa
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Warren County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.7 — 2816th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 59th of 99 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Warren County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 60.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 60.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Economic Vitality 56.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 79
Housing Cost Burden 41.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 30
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 92
Homeownership Rate 7
Consumer Credit Distress 18.2
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 20
Structural Poverty 8.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy —
Lucas County, IA 46.0 Normal +17.3
Polk County, IA 43.6 Normal +14.9
Clarke County, IA 41.9 Normal +13.3
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy -0.2
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy -0.4
Dallas County, IA 24.2 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Boone County, IN 28.6 Healthy -0.1
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy +0.2
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -0.2
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy +0.2
Warrick County, IN 28.2 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Warren 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Warren 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 Warren County, Iowa?

    Warren County has a County Distress Index score of 28.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,816th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Warren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Warren County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 60.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Warren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Warren County (28.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lucas County, IA (46.0); Polk County, IA (43.6); Clarke County, IA (41.9).

  • 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). Warren County's score of 28.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Warren 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 Warren County?

    Warren County, Iowa has a population of approximately 55,205 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.