Columbia County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.4 | 58,091 people · 53rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Columbia County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.4 — 2874th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 53rd of 72 counties. It scores lower 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. Columbia County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 48.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 48.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Economic Vitality 41.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Housing Cost Burden 37.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 36
Consumer Credit Distress 20.5
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 13.4
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +19.9
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +9.9
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal +9.0
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +7.9
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal +7.8
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy +7.6
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy +3.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy +0.0
Washington County, VT 27.5 Healthy +0.1
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy +0.5
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy -0.6
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County, Wisconsin?

    Columbia County has a County Distress Index score of 27.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,874th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Columbia County?

    The primary driver of distress in Columbia County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 48.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Columbia County compare to neighboring counties?

    Columbia County (27.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Sauk County, WI (37.3); Juneau County, WI (36.4).

  • 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). Columbia County's score of 27.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Columbia 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 Columbia County?

    Columbia County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 58,091 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.