O’Brien County, Iowa — A recent study shows O’Brien County to have one of the lowest per capita debt levels in Iowa.
SmartAsset, a financial technology company, released their second annual study, which analyzed counties by the amount of debt residents held across three categories: credit cards, auto, and mortgage, compared to local income.
The study found O’Brien County to have the third lowest per capita debt in the state. With an average income of $30,213, O’Brien County residents have only 5.8% of their income reflected in credit card debt, with 11.1% in auto debt, and 52.6% in mortgage debt, for a Low Debt Index number of 89.63.
Two other northwest Iowa communities made the Top 10 list, according to SmartAsset. Clay County was rated #2, with a Debt Index of 90.06. Clay County residents had a slightly lower income than their O’Brien County neighbors at $29,138, with 6.6% credit card debt, 7.3% auto debt, and 56.8% mortgage debt, for a Debt Index of 90.06. Buena Vista County rated #7, with a Debt Index of 83.70.
Wright County was rated as having the lowest per capita debt, with a Debt Index of 90.31. Allamakee County came in at #4, with Henry County at #5, Appanoose County at #6, Des Moines County at #8, Hardin County at #9, and Jackson County at #10.
