Barron County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.8 | 46,833 people · 42nd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Barron County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.8 — 2713th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 42nd of 72 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Barron County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 49.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 49.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Housing Cost Burden 45.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 57
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 37
Economic Vitality 42.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Structural Poverty 40.0
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Consumer Credit Distress 16.1
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Barron County
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy —
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +11.7
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal +8.1
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy +2.8
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy +2.7
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +1.3
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy -0.6
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -3.5
St. Croix County, WI 24.3 Healthy -6.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Barron County
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy +0.0
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy +0.0
De Witt County, IL 30.9 Healthy +0.0
Marinette County, WI 30.8 Healthy -0.0
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Barron 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 Barron 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 Barron County, Wisconsin?

    Barron County has a County Distress Index score of 30.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,713th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Barron County?

    The primary driver of distress in Barron County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 49.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Barron County compare to neighboring counties?

    Barron County (30.8) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Rusk County, WI (42.5); Sawyer County, WI (38.9); Burnett County, WI (33.6).

  • 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). Barron County's score of 30.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Barron 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 Barron County?

    Barron County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 46,833 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.