Winnebago County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.6 | 171,735 people · 27th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Winnebago County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.6 — 2554th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 27th of 72 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Winnebago County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 57.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 57.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Housing Cost Burden 53.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 82
Economic Vitality 32.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Structural Poverty 24.8
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Consumer Credit Distress 23.5
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Winnebago County
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy —
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +5.5
Waushara County, WI 35.8 Normal +2.1
Green Lake County, WI 35.2 Normal +1.6
Fond du Lac County, WI 33.1 Healthy -0.5
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -8.4
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -12.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Winnebago County
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +0.0
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy -0.1
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +0.1
York County, ME 33.8 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Winnebago 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 Winnebago 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 Winnebago County, Wisconsin?

    Winnebago County has a County Distress Index score of 33.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,554th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Winnebago County?

    The primary driver of distress in Winnebago County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 57.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Winnebago County compare to neighboring counties?

    Winnebago County (33.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Waupaca County, WI (39.1); Waushara County, WI (35.8); 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 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). Winnebago County's score of 33.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Winnebago 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 Winnebago County?

    Winnebago County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 171,735 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.