St. Croix County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.3 | 96,763 people · 64th most distressed in Wisconsin
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St. Croix County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.3 — 2985th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 64th of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. St. Croix County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 40
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Legal Distress 48.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Housing Cost Burden 40.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 9.7
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 7
Structural Poverty 9.0
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 5
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. St. Croix County
St. Croix County, WI 24.3 Healthy —
Pierce County, WI 33.1 Healthy +8.8
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +7.8
Washington County, MN 31.7 Healthy +7.4
Barron County, WI 30.8 Healthy +6.5
Polk County, WI 30.2 Healthy +5.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. St. Croix County
Dallas County, IA 24.2 Healthy -0.1
Arlington County, VA 23.5 Healthy -0.9
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy +0.9
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy +1.0
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy +1.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for St. Croix County as a CSV file.

Find Help in St. Croix 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 St. Croix 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 St. Croix County, Wisconsin?

    St. Croix County has a County Distress Index score of 24.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,985th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in St. Croix County?

    The primary driver of distress in St. Croix County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does St. Croix County compare to neighboring counties?

    St. Croix County (24.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pierce County, WI (33.1); Dunn County, WI (32.1); Washington County, MN (31.7).

  • 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). St. Croix County's score of 24.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • What data sources power St. Croix County's CDI score?

    St. Croix 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 St. Croix County?

    St. Croix County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 96,763 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.