Sheboygan County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.3 | 117,752 people · 56th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Sheboygan County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.3 — 2918th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 56th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sheboygan County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 52.0 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 52.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Housing Cost Burden 34.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 59
Homeownership Rate 65
Economic Vitality 29.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Consumer Credit Distress 20.1
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 20
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 11
Structural Poverty 18.9
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheboygan County
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy —
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal +13.4
Oceana County, MI 34.3 Healthy +8.0
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy +6.8
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy -0.7
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy -0.9
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy -5.0
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -5.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sheboygan County
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy -0.0
Livingston County, MI 26.6 Healthy +0.3
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +0.5
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy +0.5
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy -0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sheboygan County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sheboygan County.

CCCS OF SHEBOYGAN
Sheboygan
920-458-3784 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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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 Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan County, Wisconsin?

    Sheboygan County has a County Distress Index score of 26.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,918th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 56th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sheboygan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sheboygan County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 52.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sheboygan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sheboygan County (26.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Mason County, MI (39.7); Oceana County, MI (34.3); Fond du Lac County, WI (33.1).

  • 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). Sheboygan County's score of 26.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sheboygan 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 Sheboygan County?

    Sheboygan County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 117,752 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.