Marinette County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.8 | 42,106 people · 43rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Marinette County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.8 — 2715th 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 43rd of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Marinette County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 66.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 66.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Structural Poverty 56.2
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Economic Vitality 33.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Housing Cost Burden 22.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 17
Consumer Credit Distress 21.2
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marinette County
Marinette County, WI 30.8 Healthy —
Menominee County, MI 40.3 Normal +9.5
Dickinson County, MI 40.3 Normal +9.5
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal +8.3
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy -3.1
Florence County, WI 24.4 Healthy -6.3
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marinette County
Camden County, NC 30.8 Healthy -0.0
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy +0.0
Becker County, MN 30.7 Healthy -0.1
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy +0.1
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Marinette 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 Marinette 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 Marinette County, Wisconsin?

    Marinette County has a County Distress Index score of 30.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,715th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marinette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marinette County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 66.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Marinette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marinette County (30.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Menominee County, MI (40.3); Dickinson County, MI (40.3); Forest County, WI (39.1).

  • 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). Marinette County's score of 30.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Marinette 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 Marinette County?

    Marinette County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 42,106 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.