Jersey County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.9 | 21,091 people · 58th most distressed in Illinois
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Jersey County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.9 — 2368th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Illinois, it ranks 58th of 102 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jersey County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 71.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 71.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Legal Distress 48.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Structural Poverty 38.0
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 35
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 42
Housing Cost Burden 33.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 30.0
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 37
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jersey County
Jersey County, IL 36.9 Normal —
Madison County, IL 47.0 Normal +10.0
Macoupin County, IL 41.1 Normal +4.1
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy -2.3
St. Charles County, MO 30.1 Healthy -6.8
Calhoun County, IL 20.5 Healthy -16.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jersey County
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal +0.0
Windham County, VT 37.0 Normal +0.0
Nelson County, VA 36.8 Normal -0.1
Camden County, MO 37.0 Normal +0.1
Fluvanna County, VA 36.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jersey 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 Jersey 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 Jersey County, Illinois?

    Jersey County has a County Distress Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,368th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 58th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jersey County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jersey County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 71.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Jersey County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jersey County (36.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Madison County, IL (47.0); Macoupin County, IL (41.1); Greene County, IL (34.6).

  • 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). Jersey County's score of 36.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jersey 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 Jersey County?

    Jersey County, Illinois has a population of approximately 21,091 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.