Shawano County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.9 | 41,109 people · 35th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Shawano County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.9 — 2588th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 35th of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Shawano County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 43.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 63
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Structural Poverty 41.1
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Housing Cost Burden 39.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 20.4
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Shawano County
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy —
Menominee County, WI 75.4 Serious +42.5
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +6.2
Langlade County, WI 34.8 Healthy +1.9
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +0.2
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy -0.4
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy -5.0
Oconto County, WI 27.7 Healthy -5.2
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -7.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Shawano County
Redwood County, MN 32.9 Healthy +0.0
Huron County, MI 33.0 Healthy +0.1
Carlton County, MN 32.8 Healthy -0.1
Ralls County, MO 32.8 Healthy -0.1
Auglaize County, OH 33.0 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Shawano 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 Shawano 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Shawano County has a County Distress Index score of 32.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,588th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Shawano County?

    The primary driver of distress in Shawano County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Shawano County compare to neighboring counties?

    Shawano County (32.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Menominee County, WI (75.4); Waupaca County, WI (39.1); Langlade County, WI (34.8).

  • 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). Shawano County's score of 32.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Shawano 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 Shawano County?

    Shawano County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 41,109 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.