Price County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.8 | 14,102 people · 26th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Price County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.8 — 2533rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 26th of 72 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Price County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.5
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 57
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 82
Economic Vitality 43.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Housing Cost Burden 34.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 36
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 12
Consumer Credit Distress 24.2
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 24.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Price County
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy —
Iron County, WI 46.1 Normal +12.3
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +8.7
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +5.6
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal +5.0
Lincoln County, WI 34.7 Healthy +0.8
Oneida County, WI 29.2 Healthy -4.6
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy -6.0
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy -9.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Price County
Blanco County, TX 33.9 Healthy +0.0
Clarke County, VA 33.9 Healthy +0.0
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy -0.1
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy -0.1
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Price 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 Price 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Wisconsin →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Price County, Wisconsin?

    Price County has a County Distress Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,533rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Price County?

    The primary driver of distress in Price County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Price County compare to neighboring counties?

    Price County (33.8) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Iron County, WI (46.1); Rusk County, WI (42.5); Ashland County, WI (39.4).

  • 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). Price County's score of 33.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Price 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 Price County?

    Price County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 14,102 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.