Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.3 | 623,907 people · 6th most distressed in Connecticut
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Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.3 — 2102nd 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 6th 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. Western Connecticut Planning Region's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 87.6 — worse than roughly 88% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 87.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 82
Economic Vitality 41.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Legal Distress 35.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 29.4
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 22
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 28
Structural Poverty 10.7
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Western Connecticut Planning Region
Bergen County, NJ 41.3 Normal -0.0
Santa Cruz County, CA 41.1 Normal -0.2
Hillsborough County, NH 41.6 Normal +0.3
Snohomish County, WA 41.0 Normal -0.3
Westchester County, NY 41.0 Normal -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Western 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 Western 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut?

    Western Connecticut Planning Region has a County Distress Index score of 41.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,102nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Connecticut out of 9 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Western Connecticut Planning Region?

    The primary driver of distress in Western Connecticut Planning Region is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 87.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

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

    Neighbor comparison data is not available for Western 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). Western Connecticut Planning Region's score of 41.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Western 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 Western Connecticut Planning Region?

    Western Connecticut Planning Region, Connecticut has a population of approximately 623,907 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.