Vernon County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.9 | 31,170 people · 55th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Vernon County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.9 — 2898th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 55th of 72 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Vernon County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 42.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 42.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Legal Distress 39.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Structural Poverty 38.9
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Housing Cost Burden 30.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 86
Homeownership Rate 14
Consumer Credit Distress 16.8
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 16
Uninsured Rate 87
Subprime Credit Population 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Vernon County
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy —
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +10.4
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal +9.5
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal +9.5
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy +6.6
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy +4.3
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy +4.1
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy -0.2
Houston County, MN 25.9 Healthy -1.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Vernon County
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Vernon County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Vernon County.

COULEECAP INC.
Westby
608-782-4877 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-Lease/Pre-Purchase

See all counselors in Wisconsin →

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 Vernon 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Vernon County has a County Distress Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,898th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Vernon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Vernon County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 42.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Vernon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Vernon County (26.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Sauk County, WI (37.3); Juneau County, WI (36.4); Monroe County, WI (36.4).

  • 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). Vernon County's score of 26.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Vernon 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 Vernon County?

    Vernon County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 31,170 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.