Waukesha County, Wisconsin

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.3 | 412,591 people · 71st most distressed in Wisconsin
American Default Research

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Waukesha County, WI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.3 — 3099th 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 71st of 72 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five domains of financial distress. Waukesha County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 53.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 53.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 71
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Employment & Wages 31.1
Unemployment Rate 10
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 53
Debt & Delinquency 16.2
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 33
Student Loan Delinquency 5
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Community Vulnerability 2.9
Uninsured Rate 2
Disability Rate 4
Income & Poverty 2.6
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 0

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

Neighbors and Peers

How Waukesha County compares to its 7 neighboring counties and population peers.

Neighboring Counties

County Score Zone vs. Waukesha County
Waukesha County, WI 21.3 Healthy —
Milwaukee County, WI 58.2 Elevated +36.9
Racine County, WI 44.3 Normal +23.0
Walworth County, WI 35.1 Normal +13.7
Jefferson County, WI 31.4 Healthy +10.1
Dodge County, WI 28.5 Healthy +7.2
Washington County, WI 24.6 Healthy +3.2
Ozaukee County, WI 21.8 Healthy +0.4

Population Peers

County Score Zone vs. Waukesha County
Warren County, OH 21.2 Healthy -0.1
St. Charles County, MO 22.0 Healthy +0.6
Johnson County, KS 22.3 Healthy +1.0
Loudoun County, VA 22.8 Healthy +1.5
Douglas County, CO 23.2 Healthy +1.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Waukesha County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Waukesha County.

HOUSING RESOURCES INC - WAUKESHA
WAUKESHA
262-522-1230 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
LA CASA DE ESPERANZA, INC.
Waukesha
262-547-0887
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-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 Waukesha 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Waukesha County, Wisconsin?

    Waukesha County has a County Distress Index score of 21.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,099th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 71st in Wisconsin out of 72 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Waukesha County?

    The primary driver of distress in Waukesha County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 53.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Waukesha County compare to neighboring counties?

    Waukesha County (21.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Milwaukee County, WI (58.2); Racine County, WI (44.3); Walworth County, WI (35.1).

  • 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 Waukesha County?

    Waukesha County, Wisconsin has a population of approximately 412,591 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.