Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.5 | 96,692 people · 3rd most distressed in Connecticut
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Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.5 — 1543rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Connecticut, it ranks 3rd 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. Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Economic Vitality 71.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Housing Cost Burden 50.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 97
Homeownership Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 43.6
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 21
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 60
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 56
Structural Poverty 34.5
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Somerset County, ME 50.6 Elevated +0.0
Daviess County, KY 50.4 Elevated -0.2
Sandoval County, NM 50.4 Elevated -0.2
Yamhill County, OR 50.8 Elevated +0.2
Lebanon County, PA 50.3 Elevated -0.3

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region as a CSV file.

Find Help in Northeastern Connecticut 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 Northeastern Connecticut 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 Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 50.5 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,543rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Northeastern Connecticut 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). Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region's score of 50.5 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region's CDI score?

    Northeastern Connecticut 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 Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region?

    Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 96,692 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.