Polk County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.2 | 45,762 people · 45th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Polk County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.2 — 2748th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 45th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Polk County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 54.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 54.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 53.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 56
Structural Poverty 37.8
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 45
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Housing Cost Burden 34.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 30
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 14
Consumer Credit Distress 17.7
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Polk County
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy —
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal +8.0
Burnett County, WI 33.6 Healthy +3.4
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +1.9
Washington County, MN 31.7 Healthy +1.5
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy +0.6
St. Croix County, WI 24.3 Healthy -5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Polk County
Posey County, IN 30.3 Healthy +0.1
Cerro Gordo County, IA 30.1 Healthy -0.2
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy +0.2
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy +0.2
Carbon County, MT 30.0 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Polk 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 Polk 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 Polk County, Wisconsin?

    Polk County has a County Distress Index score of 30.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,748th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Polk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Polk County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 54.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Polk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Polk County (30.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Chisago County, MN (38.2); Burnett County, WI (33.6); Dunn County, WI (32.1).

  • 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). Polk County's score of 30.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Polk 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 Polk County?

    Polk County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 45,762 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.