Effingham County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 22.9 | 34,331 people · 97th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Effingham County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 22.9 — 3017th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Illinois, it ranks 97th of 102 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Effingham County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 32.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 32.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Structural Poverty 30.9
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 17
Housing Cost Burden 22.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 64
Homeownership Rate 29
Economic Vitality 22.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 3
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Consumer Credit Distress 19.1
Debt in Collections 19
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 17
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Effingham County
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy —
Fayette County, IL 40.7 Normal +17.8
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy +8.0
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy +3.3
Cumberland County, IL 23.3 Healthy +0.4
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy -2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Effingham County
Wyoming County, NY 22.9 Healthy +0.0
Benton County, IA 22.8 Healthy -0.0
Hughes County, SD 22.9 Healthy +0.1
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy -0.3
Douglas County, MN 22.6 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Effingham County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Effingham County.

C.E.F.S. ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY CORPORATION
Effingham
217-342-2193
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/Displacement
C.E.F.S. EFFINGHAM COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
Effingham
217-347-7514 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 Effingham 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Effingham County, Illinois?

    Effingham County has a County Distress Index score of 22.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,017th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 97th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Effingham County?

    The primary driver of distress in Effingham County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 32.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Effingham County compare to neighboring counties?

    Effingham County (22.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Fayette County, IL (40.7); Clay County, IL (30.9); Shelby County, IL (26.2).

  • 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). Effingham County's score of 22.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Effingham 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 Effingham County?

    Effingham County, Illinois has a population of approximately 34,331 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.