La Crosse County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.4 | 120,486 people · 31st most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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La Crosse County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.4 — 2564th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 31st of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. La Crosse County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 76.9 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 76.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 89
Economic Vitality 46.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 38
Legal Distress 38.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Structural Poverty 25.2
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 9
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Consumer Credit Distress 12.1
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. La Crosse County
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy —
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +8.0
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal +2.9
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy -1.3
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy -6.4
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -6.6
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -7.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. La Crosse County
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy +0.1
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy +0.2
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +0.2
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy +0.3
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for La Crosse County as a CSV file.

Find Help in La Crosse County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near La Crosse County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - LA CROSSE, INC.
La Crosse
608-782-0710 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/Displacement
CCCS OF SHEBOYGAN
LA CROSSE
844-307-7220 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-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 La Crosse 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for La Crosse County, Wisconsin?

    La Crosse County has a County Distress Index score of 33.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,564th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in La Crosse County?

    The primary driver of distress in La Crosse County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 76.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does La Crosse County compare to neighboring counties?

    La Crosse County (33.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (41.5); Monroe County, WI (36.4); Winona County, MN (32.1).

  • 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 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). La Crosse County's score of 33.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power La Crosse County's CDI score?

    La Crosse 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 La Crosse County?

    La Crosse County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 120,486 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.