Oconto County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.7 | 39,775 people · 51st most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Oconto County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.7 — 2864th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 51st of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oconto County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 51.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 51.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Economic Vitality 43.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Housing Cost Burden 33.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 4
Structural Poverty 30.4
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 36
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 17.6
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 19
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconto County
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy —
Menominee County, WI 75.4 Serious +47.7
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal +11.4
Langlade County, WI 34.8 Healthy +7.1
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +5.4
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy +5.2
Marinette County, WI 30.8 Healthy +3.1
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -4.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconto County
Floyd County, IA 27.7 Healthy +0.1
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy +0.1
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy +0.2
Washington County, IA 27.5 Healthy -0.2
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oconto 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 Oconto 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 Oconto County, Wisconsin?

    Oconto County has a County Distress Index score of 27.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,864th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oconto County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oconto County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 51.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Oconto County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oconto County (27.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Menominee County, WI (75.4); Forest County, WI (39.1); Langlade County, WI (34.8).

  • 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). Oconto County's score of 27.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Oconto 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 Oconto County?

    Oconto County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 39,775 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.