Iron County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.1 | 6,228 people · 7th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Iron County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.1 — 1835th 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 7th of 72 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Iron County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.9
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 80
Housing Cost Burden 54.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 5
Economic Vitality 54.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Consumer Credit Distress 37.0
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 72
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 55
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 22
Legal Distress 25.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Iron County
Iron County, WI 46.1 Normal —
Gogebic County, MI 49.0 Normal +3.0
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal -6.7
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy -12.3
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy -21.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Iron County
Sutton County, TX 46.1 Normal -0.0
Comanche County, KS 46.1 Normal +0.0
Buffalo County, SD 46.0 Normal -0.1
Calhoun County, AR 46.0 Normal -0.1
Chautauqua County, KS 46.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Iron 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 Iron 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 Iron County, Wisconsin?

    Iron County has a County Distress Index score of 46.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,835th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 7th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Iron County?

    The primary driver of distress in Iron County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Iron County compare to neighboring counties?

    Iron County (46.1) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Gogebic County, MI (49.0); Ashland County, WI (39.4); Price County, WI (33.8).

  • 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). Iron County's score of 46.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Iron 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 Iron County?

    Iron County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 6,228 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.