Ford County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.1 | 13,250 people · 75th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Ford County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.1 — 2647th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Illinois, it ranks 75th of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ford County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 50.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 50.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 52
Structural Poverty 36.7
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 23
Legal Distress 27.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 25.3
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 28
Economic Vitality 20.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ford County
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy —
Kankakee County, IL 60.8 Elevated +28.7
Vermilion County, IL 58.1 Elevated +26.0
Champaign County, IL 44.6 Normal +12.5
McLean County, IL 36.9 Normal +4.8
Iroquois County, IL 36.3 Normal +4.2
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy +0.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ford County
Winona County, MN 32.1 Healthy +0.0
Dunn County, WI 32.1 Healthy +0.0
Buena Vista County, IA 32.2 Healthy +0.1
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy +0.1
Todd County, MN 32.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ford 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 Ford 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 Ford County, Illinois?

    Ford County has a County Distress Index score of 32.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,647th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 75th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ford County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 50.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ford County (32.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Kankakee County, IL (60.8); Vermilion County, IL (58.1); 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). Ford County's score of 32.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ford 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 Ford County?

    Ford County, Illinois has a population of approximately 13,250 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.