Johnson County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 13,326 people · 49th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Johnson County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2207th 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 49th 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. Johnson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.3
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 61
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 69
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Housing Cost Burden 62.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 93
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 29.2
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 41
Economic Vitality 28.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 58
Legal Distress 8.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Johnson County
Johnson County, IL 39.8 Normal —
Saline County, IL 59.0 Elevated +19.3
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated +17.0
Williamson County, IL 52.8 Elevated +13.0
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal +8.4
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal +4.2
Pope County, IL 33.4 Healthy -6.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Johnson County
Wells County, IN 39.8 Normal 0.0
Mitchell County, NC 39.7 Normal -0.0
Roberts County, SD 39.8 Normal +0.0
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, WA 39.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Johnson 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 Johnson 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 Johnson County, Illinois?

    Johnson County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,207th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Johnson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Johnson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Johnson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Johnson County (39.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saline County, IL (59.0); Pulaski County, IL (56.8); Williamson County, IL (52.8).

  • 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). Johnson County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Johnson 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 Johnson County?

    Johnson County, Illinois has a population of approximately 13,326 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.