Adams County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.3 | 21,449 people · 6th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Adams County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.3 — 1762nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 6th of 72 counties. It scores higher 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. Adams County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.9
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 89
Transfer Income Dependency 81
Legal Distress 53.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 47.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 51
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 62
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Consumer Credit Distress 43.8
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 69
Auto Loan Delinquency 62
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 23
Housing Cost Burden 35.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal —
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal -10.0
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal -10.9
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal -11.5
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal -12.1
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -13.7
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy -19.4
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -19.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Noble County, IN 47.3 Normal +0.0
Braxton County, WV 47.2 Normal -0.1
Nelson County, KY 47.2 Normal -0.1
Young County, TX 47.2 Normal -0.1
Warren County, MO 47.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Adams County

Find an Attorney

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

State Bar of Wisconsin — Lawyer Referral and Information Service 608-257-4666 (Madison); 414-274-6768 (Milwaukee)

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Adams County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Society of Milwaukee 414-278-7722
Legal Action of Wisconsin 608-256-3191 (Madison); 414-278-7722 (Milwaukee)
Wisconsin Judicare 715-842-1681 (Wausau); 1-800-472-1638 (statewide)
Disability Rights Wisconsin 608-267-0214
Judicare Legal Aid (715) 842-1681

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Adams County, Wisconsin?

    Adams County has a County Distress Index score of 47.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,762nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Adams County?

    The primary driver of distress in Adams County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Adams County compare to neighboring counties?

    Adams County (47.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Sauk County, WI (37.3); Juneau County, WI (36.4); Waushara County, WI (35.8).

  • 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 Normal 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). Adams County's score of 47.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Adams 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 Adams County?

    Adams County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 21,449 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.