South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.1 | 568,158 people · 8th most distressed in Connecticut
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South Central Connecticut Planning Region, CT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.1 — 2187th 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 8th of 9 counties. Its strongest area is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. South Central Connecticut Planning Region's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 92.5 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 92.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 92
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 92
Economic Vitality 71.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 83
Rent-to-Income Ratio 94
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Structural Poverty 42.7
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Consumer Credit Distress 14.8
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 19
Legal Distress 1.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. South Central Connecticut Planning Region
Sonoma County, CA 40.2 Normal +0.0
Clackamas County, OR 40.4 Normal +0.2
Naugatuck Valley Planning Region, CT 40.6 Normal +0.5
Lancaster County, NE 39.7 Normal -0.5
Washington County, OR 39.6 Normal -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in South Central 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 South Central 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 South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut?

    South Central Connecticut Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 40.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,187th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in South Central Connecticut Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in South Central Connecticut Planning Region is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 92.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does South Central Connecticut Planning Region compare to neighboring counties?

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for South Central 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 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). South Central Connecticut Planning Region's score of 40.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    South Central 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 South Central Connecticut Planning Region?

    South Central Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 568,158 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.