Carroll County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.2 | 15,526 people · 80th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Carroll County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.2 — 2689th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 80th of 102 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. Carroll County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.2
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Economic Vitality 41.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Housing Cost Burden 29.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 24.5
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 21
Legal Distress 13.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, IL 31.2 Healthy —
Clinton County, IA 49.5 Normal +18.3
Whiteside County, IL 44.4 Normal +13.2
Stephenson County, IL 44.0 Normal +12.8
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy +1.5
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -3.9
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Crawford County, WI 31.1 Healthy -0.0
Pennington County, MN 31.1 Healthy -0.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy -0.1
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy -0.1
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County, Illinois?

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 31.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,689th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 80th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (31.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clinton County, IA (49.5); Whiteside County, IL (44.4); Stephenson County, IL (44.0).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 31.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Illinois has a population of approximately 15,526 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.