Cass County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.2 | 12,596 people · 62nd most distressed in Illinois
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Cass County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.2 — 2410th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 62nd of 102 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cass County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 52.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 52.0
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Consumer Credit Distress 42.3
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 81
Uninsured Rate 43
Subprime Credit Population 55
Legal Distress 29.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Economic Vitality 28.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Housing Cost Burden 19.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 47

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal —
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal +10.2
Sangamon County, IL 43.1 Normal +6.9
Morgan County, IL 39.0 Normal +2.8
Brown County, IL 31.9 Healthy -4.3
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -4.4
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cass County
Iroquois County, IL 36.3 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, KS 36.3 Normal +0.1
Monroe County, WI 36.4 Normal +0.1
Snyder County, PA 36.1 Normal -0.1
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cass 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 Cass 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 Cass County, Illinois?

    Cass County has a County Distress Index score of 36.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,410th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cass County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cass County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 52.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cass County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cass County (36.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mason County, IL (46.5); Sangamon County, IL (43.1); 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 Normal 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). Cass County's score of 36.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cass 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 Cass County?

    Cass County, Illinois has a population of approximately 12,596 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.