Vilas County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.4 | 23,885 people · 63rd most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Vilas County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.4 — 2982nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 63rd of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Vilas County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.7
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 46
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Economic Vitality 42.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Legal Distress 32.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32
Consumer Credit Distress 16.5
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 49
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 7
Housing Cost Burden 13.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 10
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Vilas County
Vilas County, WI 24.4 Healthy —
Gogebic County, MI 49.0 Normal +24.6
Iron County, MI 47.6 Normal +23.2
Iron County, WI 46.1 Normal +21.7
Forest County, WI 39.1 Normal +14.6
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy +9.4
Oneida County, WI 29.2 Healthy +4.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Vilas County
Boone County, IA 24.4 Healthy 0.0
Delaware County, IA 24.4 Healthy -0.0
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy -0.2
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy -0.3
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Vilas County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Vilas County.

WISCONSIN NATIVE LOAN FUND
Lac Du Flambeau
715-588-1600 Website
Post-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Vilas 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 Vilas County, Wisconsin?

    Vilas County has a County Distress Index score of 24.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,982nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Vilas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Vilas County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Vilas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Vilas County (24.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Gogebic County, MI (49.0); Iron County, MI (47.6); Iron County, WI (46.1).

  • 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). Vilas County's score of 24.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Vilas 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 Vilas County?

    Vilas County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 23,885 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.