Fayette County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.7 | 21,164 people · 45th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Fayette County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.7 — 2151st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Illinois, it ranks 45th of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fayette County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.2
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 73
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 63
Economic Vitality 50.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 96
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 40.0
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 50
Legal Distress 28.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Housing Cost Burden 24.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 28
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 19
Homeownership Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Fayette County, IL 40.7 Normal —
Marion County, IL 53.1 Elevated +12.4
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal -1.2
Bond County, IL 34.3 Healthy -6.3
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy -9.8
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy -13.8
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy -14.5
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy -17.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Susquehanna County, PA 40.7 Normal 0.0
Gaines County, TX 40.7 Normal 0.0
Bedford County, PA 40.7 Normal +0.0
Edgar County, IL 40.7 Normal +0.0
Pacific County, WA 40.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fayette County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Fayette County.

C.E.F.S. FAYETTE COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
VANDALIA
618-283-2631 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 Fayette 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 Fayette County, Illinois?

    Fayette County has a County Distress Index score of 40.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,151st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fayette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fayette County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Fayette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fayette County (40.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Marion County, IL (53.1); Montgomery County, IL (39.5); Bond County, IL (34.3).

  • 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). Fayette County's score of 40.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Fayette 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 Fayette County?

    Fayette County, Illinois has a population of approximately 21,164 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.