Taylor County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.9 | 20,058 people · 50th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Taylor County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.9 — 2857th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 50th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Taylor County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 45.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 45.0
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 68
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Economic Vitality 39.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 1
Housing Cost Burden 31.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 74
Homeownership Rate 23
Legal Distress 22.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 19.9
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 65
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Taylor County
Taylor County, WI 27.9 Healthy —
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +14.7
Lincoln County, WI 34.7 Healthy +6.8
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy +6.0
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy +4.6
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy +0.5
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -0.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Taylor County
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy -0.0
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy +0.1
Roseau County, MN 27.9 Healthy +0.1
Floyd County, IA 27.7 Healthy -0.1
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Taylor 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 Taylor 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 Taylor County, Wisconsin?

    Taylor County has a County Distress Index score of 27.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,857th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Taylor County?

    The primary driver of distress in Taylor County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 45.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Taylor County compare to neighboring counties?

    Taylor County (27.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Rusk County, WI (42.5); Lincoln County, WI (34.7); Price County, WI (33.8).

  • 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). Taylor County's score of 27.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Taylor 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 Taylor County?

    Taylor County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 20,058 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.