Waupaca County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.1 | 51,388 people · 11th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Waupaca County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.1 — 2248th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 11th of 72 counties. It scores higher 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. Waupaca County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 54.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 54.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 48
Legal Distress 53.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Structural Poverty 42.6
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 52
Economic Vitality 36.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Consumer Credit Distress 29.1
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Waupaca County
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal —
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal -3.4
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -5.5
Shawano County, WI 32.9 Healthy -6.2
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy -6.6
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy -11.3
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -13.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Waupaca County
Barnstable County, MA 39.1 Normal 0.0
Hampshire County, MA 39.1 Normal +0.0
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal +0.0
Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, CT 39.1 Normal -0.0
Kendall County, TX 39.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Waupaca 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 Waupaca 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 Waupaca County, Wisconsin?

    Waupaca County has a County Distress Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,248th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Waupaca County?

    The primary driver of distress in Waupaca County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 54.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Waupaca County compare to neighboring counties?

    Waupaca County (39.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Waushara County, WI (35.8); Winnebago County, WI (33.6); Shawano County, WI (32.9).

  • 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). Waupaca County's score of 39.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Waupaca 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 Waupaca County?

    Waupaca County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 51,388 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.