Hardin County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.6 | 3,569 people · 46th most distressed in Illinois
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Hardin County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.6 — 2158th 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 46th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hardin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 90.0 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 90.0
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 88
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 91
Economic Vitality 51.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Legal Distress 42.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Consumer Credit Distress 39.7
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 52
Housing Cost Burden 7.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hardin County
Hardin County, IL 40.6 Normal —
Saline County, IL 59.0 Elevated +18.5
Livingston County, KY 55.8 Elevated +15.3
Crittenden County, KY 54.2 Elevated +13.6
Union County, KY 53.8 Elevated +13.2
Gallatin County, IL 35.7 Normal -4.9
Pope County, IL 33.4 Healthy -7.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hardin County
Clearwater County, ID 40.5 Normal -0.0
Nome Census Area, AK 40.5 Normal -0.0
Monroe County, IA 40.6 Normal +0.0
Pleasants County, WV 40.7 Normal +0.1
Lexington city, VA 40.4 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hardin 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 Hardin 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 Hardin County, Illinois?

    Hardin County has a County Distress Index score of 40.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,158th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hardin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hardin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 90.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hardin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hardin County (40.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, IL (59.0); Livingston County, KY (55.8); Crittenden County, KY (54.2).

  • 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). Hardin County's score of 40.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Hardin 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 Hardin County?

    Hardin County, Illinois has a population of approximately 3,569 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.