Waukesha County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.3 | 412,591 people · 59th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Waukesha County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.3 — 2958th 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 59th of 72 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Waukesha County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 68.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 68.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 71
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 39
Legal Distress 49.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Economic Vitality 27.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Consumer Credit Distress 6.7
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 3
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 1
Structural Poverty 4.5
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Waukesha County
Waukesha County, WI 25.3 Healthy —
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious +42.3
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal +24.4
Walworth County, WI 38.2 Normal +12.9
Jefferson County, WI 32.7 Healthy +7.4
Dodge County, WI 31.0 Healthy +5.8
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy +0.1
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Waukesha County
Loudoun County, VA 25.1 Healthy -0.2
San Francisco County, CA 25.7 Healthy +0.4
Hamilton County, IN 24.2 Healthy -1.1
Johnson County, KS 27.1 Healthy +1.8
Morris County, NJ 27.4 Healthy +2.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Waukesha County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Waukesha County.

HOUSING RESOURCES INC - WAUKESHA
WAUKESHA
262-522-1230 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
LA CASA DE ESPERANZA, INC.
Waukesha
262-547-0887
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-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 Waukesha 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Waukesha County has a County Distress Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,958th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Waukesha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Waukesha County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 68.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Waukesha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Waukesha County (25.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Milwaukee County, WI (67.6); Racine County, WI (49.6); Walworth County, WI (38.2).

  • 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 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). Waukesha County's score of 25.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Waukesha 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 Waukesha County?

    Waukesha County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 412,591 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.