Alexander County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.6 | 4,695 people · 11th most distressed in Illinois
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Alexander County, IL registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.6 — 1106th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Illinois, it ranks 11th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Alexander County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 94.9 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 94.9
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 72.3
Debt in Collections 85
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 92
Credit Card Delinquency 78
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 81
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 40
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Legal Distress 28.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Housing Cost Burden 16.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Alexander County
Alexander County, IL 57.6 Elevated —
Mississippi County, MO 82.0 Crisis +24.3
Scott County, MO 67.0 Serious +9.4
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated -0.9
Cape Girardeau County, MO 49.7 Normal -7.9
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal -13.7
Ballard County, KY 40.1 Normal -17.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Alexander County
Schley County, GA 57.6 Elevated -0.1
Jefferson County, OK 57.7 Elevated +0.1
Coleman County, TX 57.5 Elevated -0.1
Montgomery County, AR 57.8 Elevated +0.2
Bent County, CO 57.5 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Alexander County

Find an Attorney

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

Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-922-8757

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Alexander County residents at no cost.

Illinois Legal Aid Online (ILAO)
Legal Aid Chicago (formerly LAF) 312-341-1070
Land of Lincoln Legal Aid 217-525-7151
Prairie State Legal Services 1-800-531-7057
Illinois State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-922-8757

Self-Help Resources

Illinois Legal Aid Online — Foreclosure Comprehensive self-help guides for Illinois foreclosure
IHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs and housing counselor referrals

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 Alexander County, Illinois?

    Alexander County has a County Distress Index score of 57.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,106th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 11th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Alexander County?

    The primary driver of distress in Alexander County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 94.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Alexander County compare to neighboring counties?

    Alexander County (57.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mississippi County, MO (82.0); Scott County, MO (67.0); Pulaski County, IL (56.8).

  • 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). Alexander County's score of 57.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Alexander 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 Alexander County?

    Alexander County, Illinois has a population of approximately 4,695 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.