Washington County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.5 | 22,560 people · 66th most distressed in Iowa
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Washington County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.5 — 2867th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 66th of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 51.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 51.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Economic Vitality 36.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 4
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Housing Cost Burden 31.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 61
Consumer Credit Distress 22.5
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 42
Subprime Credit Population 17
Structural Poverty 19.5
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, IA 27.5 Healthy —
Jefferson County, IA 49.8 Normal +22.3
Henry County, IA 41.1 Normal +13.6
Keokuk County, IA 38.0 Normal +10.5
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal +8.6
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy +3.0
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -3.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
O'Brien County, IA 27.4 Healthy -0.1
Cass County, NE 27.3 Healthy -0.2
Davison County, SD 27.3 Healthy -0.2
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy +0.2
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

Find an Attorney

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 Washington 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 Washington County, Iowa?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 27.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,867th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 51.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (27.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, IA (49.8); Henry County, IA (41.1); Keokuk County, IA (38.0).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 27.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Iowa has a population of approximately 22,560 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.