Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 103,948 people · 34th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Fond du Lac County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2581st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 34th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fond du Lac County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Housing Cost Burden 50.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 69
Economic Vitality 44.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 14
Structural Poverty 22.0
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 20.8
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fond du Lac County
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy —
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +2.2
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy +0.5
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy -2.0
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy -6.8
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy -7.7
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fond du Lac County
Sherburne County, MN 32.9 Healthy -0.2
Hanover County, VA 32.8 Healthy -0.2
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy +0.3
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy -0.4
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Fond du Lac County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Fond du Lac County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Fond du Lac County.

CCCS OF SHEBOYGAN
FOND DU LAC
920-907-4344 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin?

    Fond du Lac County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,581st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fond du Lac County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fond du Lac County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Fond du Lac County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fond du Lac County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Green Lake County, WI (35.2); Winnebago County, WI (33.6); Dodge County, WI (31.0).

  • 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). Fond du Lac County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power Fond du Lac County's CDI score?

    Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac County?

    Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 103,948 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.