Walworth County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.2 | 105,822 people · 14th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Walworth County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.2 — 2299th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 14th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Walworth County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 65.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 65.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 57
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 68
Legal Distress 57.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Economic Vitality 49.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Consumer Credit Distress 25.9
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 19
Structural Poverty 19.0
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 16
Transfer Income Dependency 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Walworth County
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal —
Kenosha County, WI 53.6 Elevated +15.4
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal +11.4
Rock County, WI 49.2 Normal +11.0
Boone County, IL 43.9 Normal +5.7
McHenry County, IL 37.1 Normal -1.1
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy -5.5
Waukesha County, WI 25.3 Healthy -12.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Walworth County
Chisago County, MN 38.2 Normal +0.0
Christian County, MO 38.2 Normal -0.0
York County, VA 38.2 Normal -0.0
Garfield County, CO 38.3 Normal +0.1
Flathead County, MT 38.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Walworth 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 Walworth 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 Walworth County, Wisconsin?

    Walworth County has a County Distress Index score of 38.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,299th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Walworth County?

    The primary driver of distress in Walworth County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 65.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Walworth County compare to neighboring counties?

    Walworth County (38.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Kenosha County, WI (53.6); Racine County, WI (49.6); Rock County, WI (49.2).

  • 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 Normal 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). Walworth County's score of 38.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Walworth 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 Walworth County?

    Walworth County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 105,822 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.