Clark County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.4 | 34,774 people · 47th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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

Clark County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.4 — 2831st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 47th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clark County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 38.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 38.9
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 35
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Economic Vitality 33.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 41
Consumer Credit Distress 28.2
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 97
Subprime Credit Population 12
Housing Cost Burden 23.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 30
Legal Distress 18.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy —
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +13.1
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy +5.1
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy +4.1
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +2.3
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy -0.5
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clark County
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy -0.0
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy +0.0
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy -0.1
Colfax County, NE 28.5 Healthy +0.1
Madison County, IA 28.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clark 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 Clark 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 Clark County, Wisconsin?

    Clark County has a County Distress Index score of 28.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,831st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clark County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clark County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 38.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Clark County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clark County (28.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (41.5); Wood County, WI (33.5); Marathon County, WI (32.5).

  • 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). Clark County's score of 28.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Clark 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 Clark County?

    Clark County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 34,774 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.