Buffalo County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.1 | 13,419 people · 68th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Buffalo County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.1 — 3029th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 68th of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Buffalo County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 42.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 42.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 51
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 61
Structural Poverty 37.0
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 41
Housing Cost Burden 33.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 32
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 27
Legal Distress 22.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 8.5
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy —
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +10.0
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +8.6
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy +4.9
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy +4.0
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy -0.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Buffalo County
Valley County, ID 22.0 Healthy -0.1
Union County, SD 21.9 Healthy -0.2
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy +0.4
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy +0.4
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy +0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Buffalo 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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo County, Wisconsin?

    Buffalo County has a County Distress Index score of 22.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,029th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Buffalo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Buffalo County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 42.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Buffalo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Buffalo County (22.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Winona County, MN (32.1); Eau Claire County, WI (30.7); Trempealeau County, WI (27.1).

  • 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). Buffalo County's score of 22.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Buffalo 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 Buffalo County?

    Buffalo County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 13,419 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.