Woodbury County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.5 | 105,951 people · 3rd most distressed in Iowa
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Woodbury County, IA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.5 — 1483rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Iowa, it ranks 3rd of 99 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Woodbury County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 64.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 64.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 76
Economic Vitality 57.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 52
Consumer Credit Distress 48.0
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 48
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 55
Legal Distress 45.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Structural Poverty 42.8
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Woodbury County
Woodbury County, IA 51.5 Elevated —
Thurston County, NE 54.5 Elevated +3.0
Dakota County, NE 48.8 Normal -2.8
Monona County, IA 41.3 Normal -10.3
Crawford County, IA 38.0 Normal -13.6
Cherokee County, IA 32.5 Healthy -19.1
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy -29.6
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy -31.4
Ida County, IA 19.2 Healthy -32.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Woodbury County
Cattaraugus County, NY 51.5 Elevated -0.0
Shiawassee County, MI 51.5 Elevated -0.0
Chautauqua County, NY 51.6 Elevated +0.0
Wood County, WV 51.5 Elevated -0.0
Jefferson County, NY 51.6 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Woodbury County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Woodbury County.

CENTER FOR SIOUXLAND
Sioux City
712-252-1861 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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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 Woodbury 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 Woodbury County, Iowa?

    Woodbury County has a County Distress Index score of 51.5 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,483rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Woodbury County?

    The primary driver of distress in Woodbury County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 64.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Woodbury County compare to neighboring counties?

    Woodbury County (51.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Thurston County, NE (54.5); Dakota County, NE (48.8); Monona County, IA (41.3).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Woodbury County's score of 51.5 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Woodbury 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 Woodbury County?

    Woodbury County, Iowa has a population of approximately 105,951 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.