Florence County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.4 | 4,682 people · 62nd most distressed in Wisconsin
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Florence County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.4 — 2980th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 62nd of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Florence County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 53
Structural Poverty 51.9
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 54
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Consumer Credit Distress 18.2
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 16.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17
Housing Cost Burden 9.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Florence County
Florence County, WI 24.4 Healthy —
Iron County, MI 47.6 Normal +23.2
Dickinson County, MI 40.3 Normal +15.8
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal +14.6
Marinette County, WI 30.8 Healthy +6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Florence County
Logan County, ND 24.4 Healthy -0.0
Pierce County, NE 24.5 Healthy +0.0
Oneida County, ID 24.5 Healthy +0.1
Cook County, MN 24.5 Healthy +0.1
Miner County, SD 24.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Florence 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 Florence 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 Florence County, Wisconsin?

    Florence County has a County Distress Index score of 24.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,980th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Florence County?

    The primary driver of distress in Florence County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Florence County compare to neighboring counties?

    Florence County (24.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Iron County, MI (47.6); Dickinson County, MI (40.3); Forest County, WI (39.1).

  • 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). Florence County's score of 24.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Florence 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 Florence County?

    Florence County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 4,682 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.