Worth County, Iowa

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.7 | 7,297 people · 86th most distressed in Iowa
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Worth County, IA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.7 — 3021st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Iowa, it ranks 86th 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. Worth County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 48.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 48.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Economic Vitality 34.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Structural Poverty 25.3
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Consumer Credit Distress 21.1
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 38
Housing Cost Burden 10.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 20
Homeownership Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Worth County
Worth County, IA 22.7 Healthy —
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +18.9
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +16.8
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +9.2
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy +7.4
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy +1.5
Mitchell County, IA 17.5 Healthy -5.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Worth County
Crook County, WY 22.7 Healthy +0.1
McCook County, SD 22.5 Healthy -0.2
Phillips County, KS 22.9 Healthy +0.2
McIntosh County, ND 22.9 Healthy +0.2
Rock County, MN 22.9 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Worth 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 Worth County residents at no cost.

Iowa Legal Aid 1-800-532-1275

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Iowa →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Worth County has a County Distress Index score of 22.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,021st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 86th in Iowa out of 99 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Worth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Worth County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 48.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Worth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Worth County (22.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mower County, MN (41.5); Freeborn County, MN (39.4); Winnebago County, IA (31.9).

  • 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). Worth County's score of 22.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Worth 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 Worth County?

    Worth County, Iowa has a population of approximately 7,297 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.