Forest County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.1 | 9,325 people · 12th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Forest County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.1 — 2252nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 12th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Forest County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 73.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 73.1
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 80
Legal Distress 45.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 45.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 35.3
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 85
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 36
Housing Cost Burden 21.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Forest County
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal —
Iron County, MI 47.6 Normal +8.5
Langlade County, WI 34.8 Healthy -4.3
Marinette County, WI 30.8 Healthy -8.3
Oneida County, WI 29.2 Healthy -9.9
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy -11.4
Florence County, WI 24.4 Healthy -14.6
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy -14.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Forest County
Marshall County, KS 39.1 Normal 0.0
Pendleton County, WV 39.1 Normal +0.0
Benson County, ND 39.0 Normal -0.0
Sherman County, OR 39.0 Normal -0.0
Schoolcraft County, MI 39.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest County, Wisconsin?

    Forest County has a County Distress Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,252nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Forest County?

    The primary driver of distress in Forest County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 73.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Forest County compare to neighboring counties?

    Forest County (39.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Iron County, MI (47.6); Langlade County, WI (34.8); Marinette County, WI (30.8).

  • 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). Forest County's score of 39.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Forest 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 Forest County?

    Forest County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 9,325 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.