Brown County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 271,417 people · 32nd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Brown County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2576th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 32nd 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. Brown County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Housing Cost Burden 58.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 85
Economic Vitality 26.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Consumer Credit Distress 22.8
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 17
Structural Poverty 15.8
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy —
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy -0.2
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy -5.4
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy -7.5
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -7.9
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -9.5
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy -10.5
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Marin County, CA 33.0 Healthy -0.1
Ottawa County, MI 32.8 Healthy -0.3
Cumberland County, ME 32.6 Healthy -0.5
Somerset County, NJ 33.7 Healthy +0.6
Montgomery County, PA 32.5 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brown County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Brown County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES DIOCESE OF GREEN BAY
Green Bay
920-272-8234 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/Displacement
NEIGHBORWORKS GREEN BAY
Green Bay
920-448-3075 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Wisconsin →

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 Brown 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Brown County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,576th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brown County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Brown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brown County (33.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Shawano County, WI (32.9); Oconto County, WI (27.7); Manitowoc County, WI (25.6).

  • 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). Brown County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brown 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 Brown County?

    Brown County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 271,417 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.