Green Lake County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.2 | 19,344 people · 21st most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Green Lake County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.2 — 2464th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 21st of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Green Lake County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 53.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 53.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Structural Poverty 45.0
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Housing Cost Burden 38.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 47
Economic Vitality 36.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Consumer Credit Distress 27.6
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 31
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Green Lake County
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal —
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal +0.5
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal -0.1
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -1.6
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy -2.2
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy -4.2
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -7.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Green Lake County
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal -0.1
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal +0.1
Harvey County, KS 35.3 Normal +0.1
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal -0.1
Richland County, ND 35.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Green Lake County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Green Lake 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 Green Lake 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 Green Lake County, Wisconsin?

    Green Lake County has a County Distress Index score of 35.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,464th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Green Lake County?

    The primary driver of distress in Green Lake County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 53.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Green Lake County compare to neighboring counties?

    Green Lake County (35.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Waushara County, WI (35.8); Marquette County, WI (35.1); Winnebago County, WI (33.6).

  • 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). Green Lake County's score of 35.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Green Lake County's CDI score?

    Green Lake 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 Green Lake County?

    Green Lake County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 19,344 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.