Bureau County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.2 | 32,729 people · 74th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Bureau County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.2 — 2641st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Illinois, it ranks 74th of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Bureau County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 51.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 51.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Structural Poverty 47.3
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Economic Vitality 41.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Housing Cost Burden 39.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 37
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 65
Homeownership Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 19.6
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Bureau County
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy —
Stark County, IL 52.8 Elevated +20.7
Whiteside County, IL 44.4 Normal +12.2
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal +7.4
Lee County, IL 37.8 Normal +5.6
Putnam County, IL 31.0 Healthy -1.2
Henry County, IL 29.3 Healthy -2.9
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Bureau County
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy -0.0
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy -0.1
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy -0.1
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -0.1
Nantucket County, MA 32.3 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Bureau 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 Bureau 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 Bureau County, Illinois?

    Bureau County has a County Distress Index score of 32.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,641st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 74th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Bureau County?

    The primary driver of distress in Bureau County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 51.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Bureau County compare to neighboring counties?

    Bureau County (32.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Stark County, IL (52.8); Whiteside County, IL (44.4); LaSalle County, IL (39.5).

  • 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 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). Bureau County's score of 32.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Bureau 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 Bureau County?

    Bureau County, Illinois has a population of approximately 32,729 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.