Winnebago County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.9 | 10,571 people · 50th most distressed in Iowa
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Winnebago County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.9 — 2655th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Iowa, it ranks 50th of 99 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Winnebago County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 39.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 39.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 50
Structural Poverty 38.5
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Economic Vitality 37.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 36
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Consumer Credit Distress 29.7
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 27
Legal Distress 5.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Winnebago County
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy —
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +7.5
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal +4.0
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy -1.8
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -5.0
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy -7.7
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy -9.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Winnebago County
Teton County, ID 31.9 Healthy -0.0
Kandiyohi County, MN 31.9 Healthy -0.0
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy -0.1
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy +0.1
Grand County, CO 31.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Winnebago County has a County Distress Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,655th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Winnebago County?

    The primary driver of distress in Winnebago County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 39.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Winnebago County compare to neighboring counties?

    Winnebago County (31.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Freeborn County, MN (39.4); Faribault County, MN (35.9); Cerro Gordo County, IA (30.1).

  • 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). Winnebago County's score of 31.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Winnebago 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 Winnebago County?

    Winnebago County, Iowa has a population of approximately 10,571 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.