Trempealeau County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.1 | 30,899 people · 54th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Trempealeau County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.1 — 2890th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 54th of 72 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Trempealeau County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 36.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 36.8
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 9
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Legal Distress 34.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Economic Vitality 33.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Housing Cost Burden 31.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 85
Homeownership Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 19.6
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Trempealeau County
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy —
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +14.4
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy +6.4
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +5.1
Eau Claire County, WI 30.7 Healthy +3.6
Buffalo County, WI 22.1 Healthy -4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Trempealeau County
Millard County, UT 27.1 Healthy 0.0
Emmet County, MI 27.1 Healthy +0.0
Pitkin County, CO 27.0 Healthy -0.1
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau County, Wisconsin?

    Trempealeau County has a County Distress Index score of 27.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,890th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 54th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Trempealeau County?

    The primary driver of distress in Trempealeau County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 36.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Trempealeau County compare to neighboring counties?

    Trempealeau County (27.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (41.5); La Crosse County, WI (33.4); Winona County, MN (32.1).

  • 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). Trempealeau County's score of 27.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Trempealeau 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 Trempealeau County?

    Trempealeau County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 30,899 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.