Dodge County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 88,231 people · 40th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Dodge County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2697th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 40th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dodge County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Housing Cost Burden 41.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 65
Economic Vitality 26.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Consumer Credit Distress 24.5
Debt in Collections 20
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 18
Structural Poverty 20.2
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 25

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy —
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +4.2
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy +3.9
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy +2.0
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy +1.6
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -3.7
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy -5.7
Waukesha County, WI 25.3 Healthy -5.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Windsor County, VT 31.1 Healthy +0.0
Saratoga County, NY 30.9 Healthy -0.1
Medina County, OH 30.7 Healthy -0.3
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy -0.4
Washington County, RI 31.6 Healthy +0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dodge 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 Dodge 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 Dodge County, Wisconsin?

    Dodge County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,697th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 40th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dodge County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dodge County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Dodge County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dodge County (31.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Green Lake County, WI (35.2); Dane County, WI (35.0); Fond du Lac County, WI (33.1).

  • 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). Dodge County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Dodge 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 Dodge County?

    Dodge County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 88,231 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.