Rock County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.2 | 164,278 people · 5th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Rock County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.2 — 1624th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 5th 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. Rock County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 68.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 68.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Housing Cost Burden 63.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 68
Economic Vitality 48.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Consumer Credit Distress 44.8
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 76
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 42
Structural Poverty 31.2
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 25
Transfer Income Dependency 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rock County
Rock County, WI 49.2 Normal —
Winnebago County, IL 60.4 Elevated +11.2
Boone County, IL 43.9 Normal -5.3
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal -11.0
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy -14.3
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -16.6
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -26.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rock County
Cumberland County, TN 49.2 Normal -0.0
Herkimer County, NY 49.3 Normal +0.0
Lancaster County, SC 49.3 Normal +0.0
Catawba County, NC 49.2 Normal -0.1
Blount County, TN 49.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rock County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Rock County.

NEIGHBORWORKS BLACKHAWK REGION - NHS OF BELOIT, INC.
Beloit
608-362-9051
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Wisconsin →

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 Rock 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Rock County has a County Distress Index score of 49.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,624th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rock County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 68.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Rock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rock County (49.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Winnebago County, IL (60.4); Boone County, IL (43.9); Walworth County, WI (38.2).

  • 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 Normal 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). Rock County's score of 49.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Rock 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 Rock County?

    Rock County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 164,278 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.