Portage County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.9 | 71,024 people · 49th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Portage County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.9 — 2856th 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 49th 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. Portage County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 45.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 45.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 34
Homeownership Rate 73
Legal Distress 38.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Economic Vitality 30.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Structural Poverty 24.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Consumer Credit Distress 18.3
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 63
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 4
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Portage County
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +19.4
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +11.3
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal +7.9
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy +5.7
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy +5.0
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy +4.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Portage County
Warrick County, IN 28.2 Healthy +0.4
Washington County, VT 27.5 Healthy -0.4
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -0.5
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -0.5
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy +0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Portage 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 Portage 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 Portage County, Wisconsin?

    Portage County has a County Distress Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,856th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Portage County?

    The primary driver of distress in Portage County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 45.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Portage County compare to neighboring counties?

    Portage County (27.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Waupaca County, WI (39.1); Waushara County, WI (35.8).

  • 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). Portage County's score of 27.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Portage 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 Portage County?

    Portage County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 71,024 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.