Outagamie County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.2 | 193,234 people · 60th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Outagamie County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.2 — 2960th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 60th of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Outagamie County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 60.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 60.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Housing Cost Burden 39.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 63
Economic Vitality 28.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Consumer Credit Distress 17.4
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 17
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 7
Structural Poverty 8.5
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 9
Transfer Income Dependency 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Outagamie County
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy —
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +13.9
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy +8.4
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +7.9
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy +7.7
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Outagamie County
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy +0.1
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy +0.3
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy +0.4
St. Croix County, WI 24.3 Healthy -0.9
Dallas County, IA 24.2 Healthy -1.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Outagamie 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 Outagamie 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 Outagamie County, Wisconsin?

    Outagamie County has a County Distress Index score of 25.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,960th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Outagamie County?

    The primary driver of distress in Outagamie County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 60.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Outagamie County compare to neighboring counties?

    Outagamie County (25.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Waupaca County, WI (39.1); Winnebago County, WI (33.6); 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). Outagamie County's score of 25.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Outagamie 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 Outagamie County?

    Outagamie County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 193,234 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.