Crawford County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.1 | 15,944 people · 39th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Crawford County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.1 — 2691st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 39th of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Crawford County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.6
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Economic Vitality 54.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Housing Cost Burden 26.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 42
Legal Distress 22.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 21.9
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Crawford County
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy —
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +4.1
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -0.2
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy -2.0
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -4.3
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Crawford County
Pennington County, MN 31.1 Healthy -0.0
Carroll County, IL 31.2 Healthy +0.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy -0.1
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy -0.1
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Crawford 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 Crawford 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 Crawford County, Wisconsin?

    Crawford County has a County Distress Index score of 31.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,691st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Crawford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Crawford County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Crawford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Crawford County (31.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Grant County, WI (35.2); Richland County, WI (31.0); Clayton County, IA (29.1).

  • 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). Crawford County's score of 31.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Crawford 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 Crawford County?

    Crawford County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 15,944 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.