Eau Claire County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.7 | 107,903 people · 44th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Eau Claire County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.7 — 2721st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 44th 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. Eau Claire County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 57.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 57.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 89
Economic Vitality 43.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 45
Legal Distress 29.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Structural Poverty 24.4
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 17.4
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Eau Claire County
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy —
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +10.8
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +1.4
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy -2.3
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -3.3
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy -3.6
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy -8.6
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy -8.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Eau Claire County
Medina County, OH 30.7 Healthy +0.0
Saratoga County, NY 30.9 Healthy +0.2
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy +0.4
Windsor County, VT 31.1 Healthy +0.4
Olmsted County, MN 30.0 Healthy -0.7

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Eau Claire County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County, Wisconsin?

    Eau Claire County has a County Distress Index score of 30.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,721st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 44th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Eau Claire County?

    The primary driver of distress in Eau Claire County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 57.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Eau Claire County compare to neighboring counties?

    Eau Claire County (30.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (41.5); Dunn County, WI (32.1); Clark County, WI (28.4).

  • 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). Eau Claire County's score of 30.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Eau Claire County's CDI score?

    Eau Claire 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 Eau Claire County?

    Eau Claire County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 107,903 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.