Kenosha County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.6 | 167,488 people · 3rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Kenosha County, WI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.6 — 1362nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 3rd of 72 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kenosha County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 85.9 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 85.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 86
Housing Cost Burden 78.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 78
Economic Vitality 64.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 42.4
Debt in Collections 40
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 53
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 40
Structural Poverty 28.2
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenosha County
Kenosha County, WI 53.6 Elevated —
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal -4.0
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal -15.4
McHenry County, IL 37.1 Normal -16.5
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal -17.5
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy -21.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenosha County
Jackson County, OR 53.6 Elevated -0.0
Schenectady County, NY 53.7 Elevated +0.0
Surry County, NC 53.5 Elevated -0.1
Umatilla County, OR 53.5 Elevated -0.1
Davidson County, NC 53.5 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kenosha County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kenosha County.

CITY OF KENOSHA HOUSING AUTHORITY
KENOSHA
262-653-4120
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-Purchase

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 Kenosha 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 Kenosha County, Wisconsin?

    Kenosha County has a County Distress Index score of 53.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,362nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kenosha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kenosha County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 85.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Kenosha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kenosha County (53.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Racine County, WI (49.6); Walworth County, WI (38.2); McHenry County, IL (37.1).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Kenosha County's score of 53.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Kenosha 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 Kenosha County?

    Kenosha County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 167,488 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.