Fulton County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.0 | 32,541 people · 48th most distressed in Illinois
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Fulton County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.0 — 2194th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 48th of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fulton County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 57.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 57.8
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 68
Economic Vitality 43.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 97
House Price Change (YoY) 11
Consumer Credit Distress 38.8
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 75
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 36
Housing Cost Burden 32.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 30
Legal Distress 32.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Fulton County, IL 40.0 Normal —
McDonough County, IL 60.7 Elevated +20.7
Knox County, IL 57.8 Elevated +17.8
Peoria County, IL 56.0 Elevated +15.9
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal +6.5
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal -4.3
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy -7.4
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -8.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Randolph County, IL 40.0 Normal +0.0
Steuben County, IN 40.0 Normal -0.0
Davie County, NC 40.0 Normal +0.0
Schoharie County, NY 40.0 Normal +0.0
Douglas County, NV 39.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County, Illinois?

    Fulton County has a County Distress Index score of 40.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,194th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fulton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fulton County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 57.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Fulton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fulton County (40.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: McDonough County, IL (60.7); Knox County, IL (57.8); Peoria County, IL (56.0).

  • 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 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). Fulton County's score of 40.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Fulton 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 Fulton County?

    Fulton County, Illinois has a population of approximately 32,541 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.