Winneshiek County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 16.2 | 19,815 people · 98th most distressed in Iowa
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Winneshiek County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 16.2 — 3123rd 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 98th of 99 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Winneshiek County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 32.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 32.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 39
Economic Vitality 30.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Structural Poverty 14.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Consumer Credit Distress 7.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 6.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Winneshiek County
Winneshiek County, IA 16.2 Healthy —
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal +21.2
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy +12.9
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy +10.9
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy +10.5
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy +9.7
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy +2.5
Howard County, IA 18.3 Healthy +2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Winneshiek County
Jefferson County, MT 16.5 Healthy +0.3
Grundy County, IA 16.6 Healthy +0.4
Lincoln County, WY 17.1 Healthy +0.8
Morgan County, UT 15.3 Healthy -1.0
Nemaha County, KS 15.1 Healthy -1.1

Download Data

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Winneshiek County has a County Distress Index score of 16.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,123rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 98th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Winneshiek County?

    The primary driver of distress in Winneshiek County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 32.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Winneshiek County compare to neighboring counties?

    Winneshiek County (16.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Fayette County, IA (37.4); Clayton County, IA (29.1); Fillmore County, MN (27.2).

  • 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). Winneshiek County's score of 16.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Winneshiek 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 Winneshiek County?

    Winneshiek County, Iowa has a population of approximately 19,815 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.