Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.5 | 113,463 people · 4th most distressed in Connecticut
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Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.5 — 2044th 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 4th 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. Northwest Hills Planning Region's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.9 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Housing Cost Burden 62.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 42
Economic Vitality 61.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 51
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Consumer Credit Distress 29.2
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 31
Structural Poverty 25.2
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 49
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Northwest Hills Planning Region
Dearborn County, IN 42.5 Normal +0.0
Boone County, KY 42.5 Normal +0.1
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal -0.1
Knox County, OH 42.4 Normal -0.1
Jefferson County, MO 42.6 Normal +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Northwest Hills Planning Region as a CSV file.

Find Help in Northwest Hills 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 Northwest Hills 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 Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Northwest Hills Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 42.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,044th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Northwest Hills Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Northwest Hills Planning Region is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Northwest Hills Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Northwest Hills 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). Northwest Hills Planning Region's score of 42.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Northwest Hills Planning Region's CDI score?

    Northwest Hills 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 Northwest Hills Planning Region?

    Northwest Hills Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 113,463 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.