Sauk County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.3 | 65,920 people · 16th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Sauk County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.3 — 2353rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 16th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sauk County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 61.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 61.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Housing Cost Burden 47.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 57
Economic Vitality 44.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Consumer Credit Distress 32.7
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 44
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 22
Structural Poverty 17.9
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 24
Child Poverty Rate 17
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sauk County
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +10.0
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal -0.9
Dane County, WI 35.0 Healthy -2.3
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -6.3
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -9.9
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -10.4
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -17.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sauk County
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +0.0
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal +0.1
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal +0.2
Kauai County, HI 37.5 Normal +0.2
Franklin County, VA 37.5 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sauk 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 Sauk 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 Sauk County, Wisconsin?

    Sauk County has a County Distress Index score of 37.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,353rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sauk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sauk County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 61.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sauk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sauk County (37.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Juneau County, WI (36.4); Dane County, WI (35.0).

  • 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). Sauk County's score of 37.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Sauk 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 Sauk County?

    Sauk County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 65,920 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.