Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.4 | 327,651 people · 1st most distressed in Connecticut
American Default Research

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Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, CT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.4 — 991st 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 Connecticut, it ranks 1st of 9 counties. Its strongest area is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 96.3 — worse than roughly 96% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 96.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 99
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 83
Legal Distress 90.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 91
Economic Vitality 76.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 97
Rent-to-Income Ratio 99
Business Formation Rate 15
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Consumer Credit Distress 42.1
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 53
Subprime Credit Population 48
Structural Poverty 31.1
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 45
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greater Bridgeport Planning Region
Berks County, PA 59.4 Elevated 0.0
Washoe County, NV 59.5 Elevated +0.1
St. Tammany Parish, LA 59.3 Elevated -0.1
St. Joseph County, IN 59.9 Elevated +0.4
Providence County, RI 59.9 Elevated +0.5

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region as a CSV file.

Find Help in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region

Find an Attorney

Connecticut Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Connecticut Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 860-223-4400

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Greater Bridgeport Planning Region residents at no cost.

Connecticut Legal Services (CLS) 1-800-453-3320 (statewide intake)
Greater Hartford Legal Aid 860-541-5000
New Haven Legal Assistance Association (NHLAA) 203-946-4811
Statewide Legal Services of Connecticut 1-800-453-3320

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 Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Greater Bridgeport Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 59.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 991st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 1st in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Greater Bridgeport Planning Region is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 96.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Greater Bridgeport Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Greater Bridgeport Planning Region.

  • 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 Elevated 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). Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's score of 59.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Greater Bridgeport Planning Region's CDI score?

    Greater Bridgeport Planning Region'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 Greater Bridgeport Planning Region?

    Greater Bridgeport Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 327,651 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.