Ashland County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.4 | 16,079 people · 10th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Ashland County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.4 — 2228th 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 10th of 72 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ashland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.9
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 55
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Economic Vitality 44.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Housing Cost Burden 35.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 60
Consumer Credit Distress 35.3
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 77
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 17
Legal Distress 22.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ashland County
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal —
Gogebic County, MI 49.0 Normal +9.6
Iron County, WI 46.1 Normal +6.7
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal -0.5
Lake County, MN 37.9 Normal -1.5
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal -3.5
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy -5.6
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy -11.4
Cook County, MN 24.5 Healthy -14.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ashland County
Teller County, CO 39.4 Normal -0.0
Ellis County, KS 39.4 Normal -0.0
Freeborn County, MN 39.4 Normal +0.0
Clinton County, MO 39.4 Normal +0.0
Lake County, MT 39.4 Normal +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ashland 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 Ashland 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 Ashland County, Wisconsin?

    Ashland County has a County Distress Index score of 39.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,228th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ashland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ashland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Ashland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ashland County (39.4) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Gogebic County, MI (49.0); Iron County, WI (46.1); Sawyer County, WI (38.9).

  • 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 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). Ashland County's score of 39.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ashland 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 Ashland County?

    Ashland County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 16,079 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.