Lafayette County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.8 | 16,945 people · 61st most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Lafayette County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.8 — 2971st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 61st of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lafayette County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 30.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 30.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Housing Cost Burden 28.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 22
Structural Poverty 24.0
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 28
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Economic Vitality 23.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Consumer Credit Distress 22.5
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 69
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lafayette County
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy —
Stephenson County, IL 44.0 Normal +19.2
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +10.5
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy +2.5
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -2.3
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lafayette County
Dubois County, IN 24.8 Healthy +0.0
Washington County, NE 25.0 Healthy +0.3
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy +0.3
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy -0.3
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lafayette 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 Lafayette 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 Lafayette County, Wisconsin?

    Lafayette County has a County Distress Index score of 24.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,971st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lafayette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lafayette County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 30.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Lafayette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lafayette County (24.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Stephenson County, IL (44.0); Grant County, WI (35.2); Jo Daviess County, IL (27.3).

  • 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). Lafayette County's score of 24.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Lafayette 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 Lafayette County?

    Lafayette County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 16,945 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.