Dane County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 35.0 | 575,347 people · 23rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Dane County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 35.0 — 2475th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 23rd of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dane County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 80.8 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 80.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 76
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 95
Economic Vitality 62.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Legal Distress 40.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 14.9
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 4
Structural Poverty 8.9
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dane County
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy —
Rock County, WI 49.2 Normal +14.3
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +2.3
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -2.3
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy -3.9
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -7.6
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -12.5
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -15.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dane County
Bucks County, PA 34.7 Healthy -0.3
Norfolk County, MA 35.3 Normal +0.3
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal +0.7
Howard County, MD 34.2 Healthy -0.8
Benton County, AR 34.2 Healthy -0.8

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dane County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Dane County.

MOVIN' OUT, INC.
Madison
608-518-4446 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Wisconsin →

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 Dane 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Dane County, Wisconsin?

    Dane County has a County Distress Index score of 35.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,475th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dane County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dane County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 80.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Dane County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dane County (35.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Rock County, WI (49.2); Sauk County, WI (37.3); Jefferson County, WI (32.7).

  • 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). Dane County's score of 35.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dane 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 Dane County?

    Dane County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 575,347 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.