Christian County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.4 | 33,228 people · 32nd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Christian County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.4 — 1932nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Illinois, it ranks 32nd of 102 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Christian County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 59.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 59.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Housing Cost Burden 49.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 51
Structural Poverty 47.6
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 41
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Consumer Credit Distress 40.6
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 67
Credit Card Delinquency 84
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 27
Economic Vitality 33.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 99
House Price Change (YoY) 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Christian County
Christian County, IL 44.4 Normal —
Macon County, IL 50.8 Elevated +6.4
Sangamon County, IL 43.1 Normal -1.3
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal -4.9
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy -18.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Christian County
Logan County, CO 44.4 Normal +0.0
Campbell County, WY 44.3 Normal -0.0
Webster County, KY 44.3 Normal -0.1
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal -0.1
Minidoka County, ID 44.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Christian County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Christian County.

C.E.F.S. - CHRISTIAN COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
TAYLORVILLE
217-824-4712-22 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Illinois →

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 Christian 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 Christian County, Illinois?

    Christian County has a County Distress Index score of 44.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,932nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Christian County?

    The primary driver of distress in Christian County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 59.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Christian County compare to neighboring counties?

    Christian County (44.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Macon County, IL (50.8); Sangamon County, IL (43.1); Montgomery 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 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). Christian County's score of 44.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Christian 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 Christian County?

    Christian County, Illinois has a population of approximately 33,228 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.