Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.3 | 93,460 people · 70th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Ozaukee County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.3 — 3044th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 70th of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ozaukee County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 53.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 53.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 44
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 58
Economic Vitality 44.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Legal Distress 36.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Structural Poverty 4.7
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 3
Consumer Credit Distress 4.2
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 1
Credit Card Delinquency 3
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ozaukee County
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy —
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious +46.3
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated +36.6
Oceana County, MI 34.3 Healthy +13.0
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy +5.0
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy +4.0
Waukesha County, WI 25.3 Healthy +4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ozaukee County
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy -0.3
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -0.6
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy +0.7
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy -1.0
Geauga County, OH 22.4 Healthy +1.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County, Wisconsin?

    Ozaukee County has a County Distress Index score of 21.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,044th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ozaukee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ozaukee County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 53.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ozaukee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ozaukee County (21.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Milwaukee County, WI (67.6); Muskegon County, MI (57.9); Oceana County, MI (34.3).

  • 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). Ozaukee County's score of 21.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ozaukee 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 Ozaukee County?

    Ozaukee County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 93,460 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.