Sussex County, Delaware

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 263,509 people · 3rd most distressed in Delaware
American Default Research

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Sussex County, DE falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1707th 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 Delaware, it ranks 3rd of 3 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sussex County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 89
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 55.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 3
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Structural Poverty 46.7
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Legal Distress 42.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Consumer Credit Distress 36.5
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 54
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sussex County
Sussex County, DE 48.0 Normal —
Kent County, DE 71.4 Serious +23.3
Wicomico County, MD 69.7 Serious +21.6
Dorchester County, MD 69.5 Serious +21.4
Caroline County, MD 64.1 Elevated +16.0
Cape May County, NJ 47.3 Normal -0.8
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sussex County
Essex County, MA 48.0 Normal -0.0
Sarasota County, FL 48.0 Normal -0.1
Spokane County, WA 47.7 Normal -0.4
Ramsey County, MN 47.6 Normal -0.4
Onondaga County, NY 47.6 Normal -0.4

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Sussex County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Sussex County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sussex County.

FIRST STATE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC
Georgetown
302-856-7761
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
NEIGHBORGOOD PARTNERS - GEORGETOWN
GEORGETOWN
302-855-1370 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-Purchase
TELAMON CORPORATION - SEAFORD BRANCH
Seaford
410-546-4604 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in Delaware →

Find an Attorney

Delaware State Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Delaware State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 302-658-5279

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Sussex County residents at no cost.

Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (CLASI) 302-575-0660
Delaware Volunteer Legal Services (DVLS) 302-478-8680
Legal Services Corporation of Delaware 302-575-0408

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 Delaware →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Sussex County, Delaware?

    Sussex County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,707th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Delaware out of 3 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sussex County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sussex County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Sussex County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sussex County (48.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Kent County, DE (71.4); Wicomico County, MD (69.7); Dorchester County, MD (69.5).

  • 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). Sussex County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Sussex County's CDI score?

    Sussex County'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 Sussex County?

    Sussex County, Delaware has a population of approximately 263,509 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.