Monroe County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.4 | 46,151 people · 18th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Monroe County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.4 — 2404th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 18th of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 60.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 60.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 60
Structural Poverty 43.4
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 35
Economic Vitality 41.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Housing Cost Burden 36.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 60
Consumer Credit Distress 29.6
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal —
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +5.1
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal +0.0
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy -2.9
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal +0.0
Hubbard County, MN 36.4 Normal +0.0
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, KS 36.3 Normal -0.1
Gibson County, IN 36.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe County, Wisconsin?

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 36.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,404th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 60.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (36.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (41.5); Juneau County, WI (36.4); La Crosse County, WI (33.4).

  • 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). Monroe County's score of 36.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Monroe 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 Monroe County?

    Monroe County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 46,151 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.