Brown County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.9 | 6,294 people · 76th most distressed in Illinois
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Brown County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.9 — 2652nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Illinois, it ranks 76th of 102 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Brown County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 38.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 38.5
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 51
Income vs. State Median 22
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Consumer Credit Distress 37.1
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 94
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 43
Legal Distress 25.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26
Economic Vitality 24.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Housing Cost Burden 22.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 54

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Brown County, IL 31.9 Healthy —
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal +14.6
Adams County, IL 44.8 Normal +12.9
Morgan County, IL 39.0 Normal +7.1
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal +4.3
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -0.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Brown County
Logan County, NE 31.9 Healthy -0.0
Wallace County, KS 31.9 Healthy -0.0
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -0.1
Pocahontas County, IA 32.1 Healthy +0.2
Sherman County, NE 31.7 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Brown 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 Brown 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Illinois →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Brown County, Illinois?

    Brown County has a County Distress Index score of 31.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,652nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 76th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Brown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Brown County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 38.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Brown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Brown County (31.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Pike County, IL (46.5); Adams County, IL (44.8); Morgan County, IL (39.0).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Brown County's score of 31.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Brown 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 Brown County?

    Brown County, Illinois has a population of approximately 6,294 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.