Pierce County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 43,026 people · 33rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Pierce County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2579th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 33rd of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pierce County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 78.0 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 78.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 99
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Housing Cost Burden 72.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 43
Legal Distress 44.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Structural Poverty 14.3
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 9.4
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 27
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 4
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pierce County
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy —
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +3.0
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy -1.0
Washington County, MN 31.7 Healthy -1.4
Goodhue County, MN 28.4 Healthy -4.7
St. Croix County, WI 24.3 Healthy -8.8
Pepin County, WI 22.1 Healthy -11.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pierce County
Barnes County, ND 33.1 Healthy -0.0
Clay County, SD 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Auglaize County, OH 33.0 Healthy -0.1
Mills County, IA 33.2 Healthy +0.1
Huron County, MI 33.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pierce 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 Pierce 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 Pierce County, Wisconsin?

    Pierce County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,579th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pierce County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pierce County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 78.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Pierce County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pierce County (33.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dakota County, MN (36.1); Dunn County, WI (32.1); Washington County, MN (31.7).

  • 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). Pierce County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Pierce 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 Pierce County?

    Pierce County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 43,026 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.