Richland County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 17,197 people · 41st most distressed in Wisconsin
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Richland County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2704th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 41st of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Richland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 50.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 50.7
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Legal Distress 47.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Economic Vitality 45.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Housing Cost Burden 27.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 21
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 38
Consumer Credit Distress 21.5
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 51
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy —
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +6.3
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal +4.3
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy +0.2
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -4.1
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -11.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
Shelby County, IA 31.0 Healthy +0.0
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy +0.0
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy +0.0
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy +0.1
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Richland 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 Richland 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 Richland County, Wisconsin?

    Richland County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,704th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Richland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Richland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 50.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Richland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Richland County (31.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sauk County, WI (37.3); Grant County, WI (35.2); Crawford County, WI (31.1).

  • 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). Richland County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Richland 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 Richland County?

    Richland County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 17,197 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.