Jackson County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.5 | 20,855 people · 9th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Jackson County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.5 — 2098th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 9th 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. Jackson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.8
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 34
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Legal Distress 43.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Economic Vitality 41.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 29
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 33
Consumer Credit Distress 37.7
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 76
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal —
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal -5.1
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal -5.1
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -7.9
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy -8.0
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy -10.8
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy -13.1
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy -14.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jackson County
Montrose County, CO 41.5 Normal +0.0
Ketchikan Gateway Borough, AK 41.4 Normal -0.0
Muscatine County, IA 41.4 Normal -0.0
Amador County, CA 41.5 Normal +0.0
Talbot County, MD 41.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jackson County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Jackson County.

FIRST NATIONS COMMUNITY FINANCIAL
Black River Falls
715-284-2470 Website
Financial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Jackson 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Wisconsin →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jackson County, Wisconsin?

    Jackson County has a County Distress Index score of 41.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,098th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jackson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jackson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Jackson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jackson County (41.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Juneau County, WI (36.4); Monroe County, WI (36.4); Wood County, WI (33.5).

  • 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). Jackson County's score of 41.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jackson 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 Jackson County?

    Jackson County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 20,855 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.