Grant County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.2 | 51,409 people · 20th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Grant County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.2 — 2463rd 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 20th of 72 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Grant County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 59
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 74
Structural Poverty 41.5
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 9
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Economic Vitality 39.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 52
Legal Distress 24.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 23.5
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal —
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy -1.6
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy -4.1
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -4.3
Clayton County, IA 29.1 Healthy -6.1
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -8.0
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy -10.5
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -15.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Grant County
Cache County, UT 35.1 Normal -0.1
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal +0.3
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +0.3
Crow Wing County, MN 34.9 Healthy -0.3
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Grant 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 Grant 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 Grant County, Wisconsin?

    Grant County has a County Distress Index score of 35.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,463rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 20th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Grant County?

    The primary driver of distress in Grant County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Grant County compare to neighboring counties?

    Grant County (35.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Dubuque County, IA (33.6); Crawford County, WI (31.1); Richland 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 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). Grant County's score of 35.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Grant 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 Grant County?

    Grant County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 51,409 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.