Wood County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.5 | 73,939 people · 30th most distressed in Wisconsin
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Wood County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.5 — 2561st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Wisconsin, it ranks 30th 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. Wood County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 50.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 50.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Housing Cost Burden 45.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 55
Structural Poverty 41.0
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Economic Vitality 25.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 11
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Consumer Credit Distress 24.5
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wood County
Wood County, WI 33.5 Healthy —
Adams County, WI 47.3 Normal +13.7
Jackson County, WI 41.5 Normal +7.9
Juneau County, WI 36.4 Normal +2.9
Marathon County, WI 32.5 Healthy -1.0
Clark County, WI 28.4 Healthy -5.1
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy -5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wood County
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy +0.1
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy +0.1
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy +0.1
La Crosse County, WI 33.4 Healthy -0.1
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wood 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 Wood 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 Wood County, Wisconsin?

    Wood County has a County Distress Index score of 33.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,561st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wood County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wood County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 50.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Wood County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wood County (33.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Adams County, WI (47.3); Jackson County, WI (41.5); Juneau County, WI (36.4).

  • 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). Wood County's score of 33.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Wood 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 Wood County?

    Wood County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 73,939 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.