Lake County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.1 | 708,760 people · 63rd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Lake County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.1 — 2418th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Illinois, it ranks 63rd 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. Lake County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 78
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 50
Legal Distress 55.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Economic Vitality 33.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 36
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Consumer Credit Distress 21.8
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 29
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 24
Structural Poverty 15.6
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal —
Cook County, IL 57.7 Elevated +21.6
Kenosha County, WI 53.6 Elevated +17.5
Berrien County, MI 50.9 Elevated +14.8
Van Buren County, MI 49.0 Normal +12.9
McHenry County, IL 37.1 Normal +1.1
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Dakota County, MN 36.1 Normal +0.0
Ada County, ID 35.7 Normal -0.4
Utah County, UT 36.5 Normal +0.4
Norfolk County, MA 35.3 Normal -0.8
McHenry County, IL 37.1 Normal +1.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lake County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lake County.

COMMUNITY PARTNERS FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING
Libertyville
847-263-7478 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase
LAKE COUNTY HOUSING AUTHORITY
Lake Zurich
847-223-1170 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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 Lake 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 Lake County, Illinois?

    Lake County has a County Distress Index score of 36.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,418th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lake County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lake County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lake County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lake County (36.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cook County, IL (57.7); Kenosha County, WI (53.6); Berrien County, MI (50.9).

  • 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 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). Lake County's score of 36.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lake 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 Lake County?

    Lake County, Illinois has a population of approximately 708,760 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.