Douglas County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.8 | 19,629 people · 89th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Douglas County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.8 — 2813th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Illinois, it ranks 89th 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. Douglas County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 34.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 34.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 44
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 29.3
Debt in Collections 23
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 92
Subprime Credit Population 37
Legal Distress 29.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Structural Poverty 22.4
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 13
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Economic Vitality 21.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Douglas County, IL 28.8 Healthy —
Vermilion County, IL 58.1 Elevated +29.3
Coles County, IL 51.9 Elevated +23.2
Champaign County, IL 44.6 Normal +15.8
Edgar County, IL 40.7 Normal +11.9
Piatt County, IL 26.3 Healthy -2.5
Moultrie County, IL 25.2 Healthy -3.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Douglas County
Hancock County, IL 28.9 Healthy +0.1
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy +0.1
Powhatan County, VA 28.6 Healthy -0.1
Cedar County, IA 28.9 Healthy +0.2
Lamoille County, VT 28.6 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Douglas County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Douglas County.

ERBA DOUGLAS COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
TUSCOLA
217-331-7031-229 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome 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 Douglas 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 Douglas County, Illinois?

    Douglas County has a County Distress Index score of 28.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,813th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 89th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Douglas County?

    The primary driver of distress in Douglas County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 34.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Douglas County compare to neighboring counties?

    Douglas County (28.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Vermilion County, IL (58.1); Coles County, IL (51.9); Champaign County, IL (44.6).

  • 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). Douglas County's score of 28.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Douglas 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 Douglas County?

    Douglas County, Illinois has a population of approximately 19,629 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.