Waushara County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.8 | 24,934 people · 19th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Waushara County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.8 — 2433rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 19th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Waushara County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Economic Vitality 51.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 48
Structural Poverty 44.3
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 49
Child Poverty Rate 32
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Housing Cost Burden 35.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 7
Consumer Credit Distress 25.9
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Waushara County
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +11.5
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +3.4
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal -0.5
Marquette County, WI 35.1 Normal -0.6
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -2.1
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy -7.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Waushara County
Ottawa County, OH 35.8 Normal -0.0
Faribault County, MN 35.9 Normal +0.1
Park County, MT 35.9 Normal +0.1
Richland County, MT 35.6 Normal -0.1
Payette County, ID 35.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Waushara 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 Waushara 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 Waushara County, Wisconsin?

    Waushara County has a County Distress Index score of 35.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,433rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Waushara County?

    The primary driver of distress in Waushara County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Waushara County compare to neighboring counties?

    Waushara County (35.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Waupaca County, WI (39.1); Green Lake County, WI (35.2).

  • 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). Waushara County's score of 35.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Waushara 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 Waushara County?

    Waushara County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 24,934 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.