Rusk County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.5 | 14,143 people · 8th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Rusk County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.5 — 2038th 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 8th of 72 counties. It scores higher 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. Rusk County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.6
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Legal Distress 64.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 55.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 84
Housing Cost Burden 46.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 64
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 33
Consumer Credit Distress 27.1
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rusk County
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal —
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal -3.7
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy -8.7
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy -9.0
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy -11.7
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy -14.7
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -15.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rusk County
Avery County, NC 42.5 Normal 0.0
Sanilac County, MI 42.5 Normal -0.1
Tillamook County, OR 42.5 Normal -0.1
Carroll County, OH 42.5 Normal -0.1
King George County, VA 42.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rusk 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 Rusk 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 Rusk County, Wisconsin?

    Rusk County has a County Distress Index score of 42.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,038th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rusk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rusk County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Rusk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rusk County (42.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Sawyer County, WI (38.9); Price County, WI (33.8); Washburn County, WI (33.5).

  • 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). Rusk County's score of 42.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Rusk 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 Rusk County?

    Rusk County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 14,143 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.