Hancock County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.9 | 17,186 people · 88th most distressed in Illinois
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Hancock County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.9 — 2809th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 88th of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hancock County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 57.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 57.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Economic Vitality 39.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 14
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Legal Distress 32.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Consumer Credit Distress 22.0
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 21
Housing Cost Burden 20.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 20
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 15
Homeownership Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Hancock County, IL 28.9 Healthy —
McDonough County, IL 60.7 Elevated +31.8
Clark County, MO 53.1 Elevated +24.3
Lee County, IA 47.7 Normal +18.9
Adams County, IL 44.8 Normal +16.0
Lewis County, MO 44.0 Normal +15.1
Henderson County, IL 40.8 Normal +12.0
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy +3.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Nicollet County, MN 28.9 Healthy +0.0
Cedar County, IA 28.9 Healthy +0.1
San Juan County, WA 29.0 Healthy +0.1
Douglas County, IL 28.8 Healthy -0.1
Jefferson County, KS 29.1 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock County, Illinois?

    Hancock County has a County Distress Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,809th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 88th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hancock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hancock County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 57.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hancock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hancock County (28.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: McDonough County, IL (60.7); Clark County, MO (53.1); Lee County, IA (47.7).

  • 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). Hancock County's score of 28.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hancock 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 Hancock County?

    Hancock County, Illinois has a population of approximately 17,186 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.