La Crosse County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.6 | 120,486 people · 36th most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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La Crosse County, WI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.6 — 2557th 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 36th of 72 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five domains of financial distress. La Crosse County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 70.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Employment & Wages 47.2
Unemployment Rate 16
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 86
Income & Poverty 31.3
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 9
Debt & Delinquency 20.3
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 28
Student Loan Delinquency 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Community Vulnerability 13.7
Uninsured Rate 13
Disability Rate 14

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed. The median line is shown on each bar.

Neighbors and Peers

How La Crosse County compares to its 6 neighboring counties and population peers.

Neighboring Counties

County Score Zone vs. La Crosse County
La Crosse County, WI 36.6 Normal —
Jackson County, WI 47.7 Normal +11.1
Monroe County, WI 43.6 Normal +6.9
Vernon County, WI 38.5 Normal +1.9
Winona County, MN 36.8 Normal +0.1
Trempealeau County, WI 36.5 Normal -0.2
Houston County, MN 29.9 Healthy -6.8

Population Peers

County Score Zone vs. La Crosse County
Porter County, IN 36.6 Normal 0.0
Otter Tail County, MN 36.7 Normal +0.1
Merrimack County, NH 36.6 Normal -0.1
Saline County, AR 36.8 Normal +0.2
Midland County, MI 36.4 Normal -0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for La Crosse County as a CSV file.

Find Help in La Crosse County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near La Crosse County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES - LA CROSSE, INC.
La Crosse
608-782-0710 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/Displacement
CCCS OF SHEBOYGAN
LA CROSSE
844-307-7220 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse County, Wisconsin?

    La Crosse County has a County Distress Index score of 36.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,557th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in La Crosse County?

    The primary driver of distress in La Crosse County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does La Crosse County compare to neighboring counties?

    La Crosse County (36.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jackson County, WI (47.7); Monroe County, WI (43.6); Vernon County, WI (38.5).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses percentile-rank averaging across five domains: Debt & Delinquency, Income & Poverty, Housing Cost Burden, Employment & Wages, and Community Vulnerability. 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.

  • What is the population of La Crosse County?

    La Crosse County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 120,486 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.