Sawyer County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.9 | 18,552 people · 13th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Sawyer County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.9 — 2265th 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 13th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sawyer County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.6
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Economic Vitality 56.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 53
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Consumer Credit Distress 34.9
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 67
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 24
Housing Cost Burden 29.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 33
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 56
Homeownership Rate 33
Legal Distress 17.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sawyer County
Sawyer County, WI 38.9 Normal —
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +3.7
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +0.5
Douglas County, WI 37.5 Normal -1.4
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy -5.0
Washburn County, WI 33.5 Healthy -5.3
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy -8.1
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy -10.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sawyer County
Atchison County, KS 39.0 Normal +0.1
Schuyler County, NY 39.0 Normal +0.1
Morgan County, IL 39.0 Normal +0.1
Fairfax city, VA 38.7 Normal -0.1
Gooding County, ID 38.7 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sawyer 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 Sawyer 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 Sawyer County, Wisconsin?

    Sawyer County has a County Distress Index score of 38.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,265th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sawyer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sawyer County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Sawyer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sawyer County (38.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Rusk County, WI (42.5); Ashland County, WI (39.4); Douglas County, WI (37.5).

  • 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). Sawyer County's score of 38.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Sawyer 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 Sawyer County?

    Sawyer County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 18,552 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.