Marquette County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.1 | 15,838 people · 22nd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Marquette County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.1 — 2469th 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 22nd of 72 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Marquette County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 76.7 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 76.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 77
Structural Poverty 56.7
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 61
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 69
Transfer Income Dependency 66
Economic Vitality 47.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Housing Cost Burden 31.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 15
Consumer Credit Distress 21.8
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 63
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marquette County
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +12.1
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal +0.6
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +0.1
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -7.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marquette County
Andrew County, MO 35.2 Normal +0.0
Tama County, IA 35.1 Normal -0.1
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +0.1
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy -0.1
Marshall County, IA 35.3 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Marquette 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 Marquette 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 Marquette County, Wisconsin?

    Marquette County has a County Distress Index score of 35.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,469th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marquette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marquette County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 76.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Marquette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marquette County (35.1) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Waushara County, WI (35.8); Green Lake County, WI (35.2).

  • 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 Normal 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). Marquette County's score of 35.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Marquette 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 Marquette County?

    Marquette County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 15,838 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.