Gallatin County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.7 | 4,670 people · 66th most distressed in Illinois
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Gallatin County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.7 — 2440th 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 66th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gallatin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 83.5 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 83.5
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 86
Legal Distress 39.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 35.5
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 52
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 7
Subprime Credit Population 53
Economic Vitality 31.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 17
Housing Cost Burden 7.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gallatin County
Gallatin County, IL 35.7 Normal —
Saline County, IL 59.0 Elevated +23.4
Union County, KY 53.8 Elevated +18.1
White County, IL 41.5 Normal +5.9
Hardin County, IL 40.6 Normal +4.9
Hamilton County, IL 35.7 Normal +0.1
Posey County, IN 30.3 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gallatin County
Rice County, KS 35.6 Normal -0.0
Hamilton County, IL 35.7 Normal +0.1
Gentry County, MO 35.7 Normal +0.1
Garfield County, NE 35.6 Normal -0.1
Warren County, IN 35.8 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gallatin 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 Gallatin 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 Gallatin County, Illinois?

    Gallatin County has a County Distress Index score of 35.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,440th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gallatin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gallatin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 83.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Gallatin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gallatin County (35.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, IL (59.0); Union County, KY (53.8); White County, IL (41.5).

  • 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). Gallatin County's score of 35.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gallatin 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 Gallatin County?

    Gallatin County, Illinois has a population of approximately 4,670 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.