Kewaunee County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.6 | 20,690 people · 66th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Kewaunee County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.6 — 3022nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 66th of 72 counties. It scores lower 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. Kewaunee County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.0 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 8
Legal Distress 34.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Housing Cost Burden 29.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 3
Structural Poverty 19.1
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Consumer Credit Distress 12.6
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 59
Auto Loan Delinquency 1
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kewaunee County
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy —
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal +24.2
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +10.5
Benzie County, MI 32.3 Healthy +9.7
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy +3.0
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy +1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kewaunee County
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy -0.1
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -0.1
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy +0.2
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy +0.3
Wyoming County, NY 22.9 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County, Wisconsin?

    Kewaunee County has a County Distress Index score of 22.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,022nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kewaunee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kewaunee County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Kewaunee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kewaunee County (22.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Manistee County, MI (46.9); Brown County, WI (33.1); Benzie County, MI (32.3).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Kewaunee County's score of 22.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Kewaunee 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 Kewaunee County?

    Kewaunee County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 20,690 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.