Jasper County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.7 | 9,144 people · 99th most distressed in Illinois
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Jasper County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.7 — 3058th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Illinois, it ranks 99th of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jasper County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 39.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 39.5
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 36
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Economic Vitality 36.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 6
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Legal Distress 29.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 16.4
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 21
Housing Cost Burden 8.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 7
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 9
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jasper County
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy —
Clark County, IL 37.9 Normal +17.2
Richland County, IL 36.5 Normal +15.8
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy +10.1
Crawford County, IL 30.6 Healthy +9.9
Cumberland County, IL 23.3 Healthy +2.6
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy +2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jasper County
Clay County, NE 20.8 Healthy +0.0
Ransom County, ND 20.8 Healthy +0.1
Dixon County, NE 20.7 Healthy -0.1
Daniels County, MT 20.9 Healthy +0.2
McPherson County, SD 20.5 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jasper County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Jasper County.

ERBA JASPER COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
NEWTON
217-331-7031-229 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Illinois →

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 Jasper 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 Jasper County, Illinois?

    Jasper County has a County Distress Index score of 20.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,058th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 99th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jasper County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jasper County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 39.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Jasper County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jasper County (20.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clark County, IL (37.9); Richland County, IL (36.5); Clay County, IL (30.9).

  • 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). Jasper County's score of 20.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Jasper 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 Jasper County?

    Jasper County, Illinois has a population of approximately 9,144 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.