Manitowoc County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.6 | 81,331 people · 57th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Manitowoc County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.6 — 2943rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 57th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Manitowoc County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 41.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 41.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Structural Poverty 29.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 14
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Economic Vitality 29.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Housing Cost Burden 29.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 19.5
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Manitowoc County
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy —
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal +21.3
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal +14.1
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +7.5
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy +0.7
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy -3.0
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Manitowoc County
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy -0.1
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy -0.2
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -0.4
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy +0.7
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy +0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County, Wisconsin?

    Manitowoc County has a County Distress Index score of 25.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,943rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 57th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Manitowoc County?

    The primary driver of distress in Manitowoc County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 41.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Manitowoc County compare to neighboring counties?

    Manitowoc County (25.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Manistee County, MI (46.9); Mason County, MI (39.7); Brown County, WI (33.1).

  • 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). Manitowoc County's score of 25.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Manitowoc 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 Manitowoc County?

    Manitowoc County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 81,331 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.