Walworth County, South Dakota

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.3 | 5,269 people · 23rd most distressed in South Dakota
American Default Research

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

Walworth County, SD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.2 — 2688th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within South Dakota, it ranks 23rd of 66 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. Walworth County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 57.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 57.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 73
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 51.4
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Housing Cost Burden 40.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 51
Consumer Credit Distress 18.9
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 24
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 69
Subprime Credit Population 10
Legal Distress 13.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Walworth County
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy —
Dewey County, SD 58.2 Elevated +27.0
Corson County, SD 46.9 Normal +15.6
Potter County, SD 27.6 Healthy -3.6
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy -10.7
Campbell County, SD 17.4 Healthy -13.9
Edmunds County, SD 15.4 Healthy -15.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Walworth County
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +0.0
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy +0.0
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Carter County, MT 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Walworth County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of South Dakota Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of South Dakota Lawyer Referral Service 605-224-7554

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Walworth County residents at no cost.

East River Legal Services 1-800-952-3015
Dakota Plains Legal Services 1-800-658-2297

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 South Dakota →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Walworth County, South Dakota?

    Walworth County has a County Distress Index score of 31.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,688th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in South Dakota out of 66 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Walworth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Walworth County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 57.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Walworth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Walworth County (31.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dewey County, SD (58.2); Corson County, SD (46.9); Potter County, SD (27.6).

  • 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). Walworth County's score of 31.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Walworth 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 Walworth County?

    Walworth County, South Dakota has a population of approximately 5,269 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.