Burnett County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.6 | 17,092 people · 28th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Burnett County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.6 — 2556th 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 28th of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Burnett County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.7
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 71
Disability Rate 75
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Legal Distress 56.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 56
Economic Vitality 45.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 62
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Housing Cost Burden 33.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 32
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 17.3
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Burnett County
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +12.1
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal +4.6
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal +3.9
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy -0.0
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy -2.8
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy -3.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Burnett County
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy -0.0
Idaho County, ID 33.5 Healthy -0.1
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy +0.1
Stewart County, TN 33.7 Healthy +0.1
Cass County, MN 33.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Burnett 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 Burnett 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 Burnett County, Wisconsin?

    Burnett County has a County Distress Index score of 33.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,556th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Burnett County?

    The primary driver of distress in Burnett County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Burnett County compare to neighboring counties?

    Burnett County (33.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); Chisago County, MN (38.2); Douglas County, WI (37.5).

  • 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). Burnett County's score of 33.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Burnett 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 Burnett County?

    Burnett County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 17,092 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.