Pepin County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.1 | 7,441 people · 69th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Pepin County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.1 — 3030th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 69th 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. Pepin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 38.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 38.9
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 51
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Economic Vitality 33.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 36
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 57
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Housing Cost Burden 22.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 16
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 6
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 9
Legal Distress 11.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pepin County
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy —
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy +11.0
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +10.0
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +8.6
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy +6.3
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy +4.0
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy +0.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pepin County
Slope County, ND 22.1 Healthy -0.0
Wells County, ND 22.0 Healthy -0.1
Sweet Grass County, MT 22.2 Healthy +0.1
Yellow Medicine County, MN 22.0 Healthy -0.1
Davis County, IA 22.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pepin 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 Pepin 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 Pepin County, Wisconsin?

    Pepin County has a County Distress Index score of 22.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,030th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pepin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pepin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 38.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pepin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pepin County (22.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pierce County, WI (33.1); Dunn County, WI (32.1); Eau Claire County, WI (30.7).

  • 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). Pepin County's score of 22.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pepin 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 Pepin County?

    Pepin County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 7,441 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.