Hamilton County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.7 | 7,911 people · 65th most distressed in Illinois
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Hamilton County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.7 — 2436th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 65th 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. Hamilton County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.5
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Consumer Credit Distress 43.0
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 86
Uninsured Rate 59
Subprime Credit Population 31
Legal Distress 36.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Economic Vitality 21.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 8
Housing Cost Burden 11.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Hamilton County, IL 35.7 Normal —
Franklin County, IL 61.3 Elevated +25.6
Saline County, IL 59.0 Elevated +23.3
Jefferson County, IL 54.8 Elevated +19.0
White County, IL 41.5 Normal +5.8
Wayne County, IL 38.4 Normal +2.7
Gallatin County, IL 35.7 Normal -0.1

Population Peers

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

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Illinois?

    Hamilton County has a County Distress Index score of 35.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,436th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hamilton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hamilton County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hamilton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hamilton County (35.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Franklin County, IL (61.3); Saline County, IL (59.0); Jefferson County, IL (54.8).

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

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

    Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?

    Hamilton County, Illinois has a population of approximately 7,911 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.