Douglas County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.5 | 44,264 people · 15th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Douglas County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.5 — 2338th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 15th of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Douglas County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 62.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 62.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Housing Cost Burden 54.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 61
Legal Distress 51.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Structural Poverty 40.6
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Consumer Credit Distress 21.8
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 28
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal —
Pine County, MN 45.7 Normal +8.2
St. Louis County, MN 41.5 Normal +4.0
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal +1.4
Lake County, MN 37.9 Normal +0.3
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy -3.9
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy -4.0
Carlton County, MN 32.8 Healthy -4.7
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Gage County, NE 37.5 Normal -0.0
Hardin County, IA 37.6 Normal +0.0
Dodge County, NE 37.6 Normal +0.0
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal -0.1
Fayette County, IA 37.4 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Douglas 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County, Wisconsin?

    Douglas County has a County Distress Index score of 37.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,338th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Douglas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Douglas County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 62.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Douglas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Douglas County (37.5) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Pine County, MN (45.7); St. Louis County, MN (41.5); Sawyer County, WI (38.9).

  • 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 Normal 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). Douglas County's score of 37.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Douglas 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 Douglas County?

    Douglas County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 44,264 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.