Clinton County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.9 | 36,785 people · 92nd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Clinton County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.9 — 2897th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Illinois, it ranks 92nd of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clinton County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 56.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 56.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 29
Housing Cost Burden 49.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 22
Legal Distress 33.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Structural Poverty 20.1
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 25
Consumer Credit Distress 11.6
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 6
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clinton County
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy —
St. Clair County, IL 61.5 Elevated +34.6
Marion County, IL 53.1 Elevated +26.2
Madison County, IL 47.0 Normal +20.1
Fayette County, IL 40.7 Normal +13.8
Bond County, IL 34.3 Healthy +7.5
Washington County, IL 19.8 Healthy -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clinton County
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy 0.0
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy -0.0
Mahaska County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Park County, WY 26.9 Healthy +0.0
Kossuth County, IA 26.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clinton 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 Clinton 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 Clinton County, Illinois?

    Clinton County has a County Distress Index score of 26.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,897th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 92nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clinton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clinton County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 56.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Clinton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clinton County (26.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: St. Clair County, IL (61.5); Marion County, IL (53.1); Madison County, IL (47.0).

  • 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). Clinton County's score of 26.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Clinton 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 Clinton County?

    Clinton County, Illinois has a population of approximately 36,785 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.