Juneau County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.4 | 26,594 people · 17th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Juneau County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.4 — 2400th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 17th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Juneau County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 56.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 56.6
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Legal Distress 52.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Consumer Credit Distress 31.5
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 39
Housing Cost Burden 31.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 31
Economic Vitality 31.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 26
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Juneau County
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +10.9
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +5.1
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +0.9
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal -0.0
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -2.9
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -9.0
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Juneau County
Hubbard County, MN 36.4 Normal 0.0
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal -0.0
Gibson County, IN 36.4 Normal +0.0
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal -0.0
Miami County, KS 36.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Juneau 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 Juneau 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 Juneau County, Wisconsin?

    Juneau County has a County Distress Index score of 36.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,400th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Juneau County?

    The primary driver of distress in Juneau County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 56.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Juneau County compare to neighboring counties?

    Juneau County (36.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Jackson County, WI (41.5); Sauk County, WI (37.3).

  • 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). Juneau County's score of 36.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Juneau 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 Juneau County?

    Juneau County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 26,594 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.