Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.1 | 176,215 people · 9th most distressed in Connecticut
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, CT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.1 — 2250th 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 9th 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. Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 78.8 — worse than roughly 79% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 78.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 91
Homeownership Rate 46
Economic Vitality 67.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Legal Distress 42.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 20.9
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 4
Subprime Credit Population 21
Structural Poverty 16.5
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 4
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 13
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region
Kendall County, TX 39.0 Normal -0.0
Barnstable County, MA 39.1 Normal +0.0
Waupaca County, WI 39.1 Normal +0.0
Hampshire County, MA 39.1 Normal +0.1
Stearns County, MN 39.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region as a CSV file.

Find Help in Lower Connecticut River Valley 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 Lower Connecticut River Valley 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Connecticut →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 39.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,250th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 78.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Lower Connecticut River Valley 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 Normal 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). Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region's score of 39.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region's CDI score?

    Lower Connecticut River Valley 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 Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region?

    Lower Connecticut River Valley Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 176,215 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.