Bayfield County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.0 | 16,769 people · 48th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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

Bayfield County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.0 — 2847th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 48th of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Bayfield County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 58.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 58.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 89
Structural Poverty 55.0
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Housing Cost Burden 22.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 19.0
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 14.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Bayfield County
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy —
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +11.4
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal +10.9
Lake County, MN 37.9 Normal +9.8
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal +9.5
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy +5.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Bayfield County
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy +0.1
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy -0.1
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy +0.1
Roseau County, MN 27.9 Healthy -0.1
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Bayfield 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 Bayfield 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.

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

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Bayfield County has a County Distress Index score of 28.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,847th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Bayfield County?

    The primary driver of distress in Bayfield County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 58.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Bayfield County compare to neighboring counties?

    Bayfield County (28.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Ashland County, WI (39.4); Sawyer County, WI (38.9); Lake County, MN (37.9).

  • 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). Bayfield County's score of 28.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Bayfield 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 Bayfield County?

    Bayfield County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 16,769 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.