Calhoun County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.5 | 4,317 people · 100th most distressed in Illinois
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Calhoun County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.5 — 3064th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Illinois, it ranks 100th of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Calhoun County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Structural Poverty 44.9
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Housing Cost Burden 10.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 12
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 9.6
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 8.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Calhoun County, IL 20.5 Healthy —
Lincoln County, MO 47.1 Normal +26.6
Pike County, MO 46.6 Normal +26.1
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal +26.1
Jersey County, IL 36.9 Normal +16.4
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy +14.1
St. Charles County, MO 30.1 Healthy +9.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Marshall County, SD 20.5 Healthy +0.0
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy +0.0
Grant County, SD 20.5 Healthy -0.0
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy +0.2
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, Illinois?

    Calhoun County has a County Distress Index score of 20.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,064th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 100th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calhoun County?

    The primary driver of distress in Calhoun County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Calhoun County compare to neighboring counties?

    Calhoun County (20.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lincoln County, MO (47.1); Pike County, MO (46.6); Pike County, IL (46.5).

  • 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). Calhoun County's score of 20.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Calhoun 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 Calhoun County?

    Calhoun County, Illinois has a population of approximately 4,317 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.