Lawrence County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.2 | 14,813 people · 34th most distressed in Illinois
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Lawrence County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.2 — 1943rd 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 34th of 102 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lawrence County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 82.8 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 82.8
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 79
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 91
Consumer Credit Distress 46.7
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 72
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 61
Economic Vitality 40.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Legal Distress 36.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Housing Cost Burden 19.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 6
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 47

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Lawrence County, IL 44.2 Normal —
Knox County, IN 53.8 Elevated +9.6
Wabash County, IL 43.5 Normal -0.7
Richland County, IL 36.5 Normal -7.7
Crawford County, IL 30.6 Healthy -13.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Tioga County, NY 44.2 Normal -0.0
Macon County, MO 44.3 Normal +0.1
Webster County, KY 44.3 Normal +0.1
Van Wert County, OH 44.1 Normal -0.1
Campbell County, WY 44.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lawrence County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lawrence County.

ERBA LAWRENCE COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
Lawrenceville
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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, Illinois?

    Lawrence County has a County Distress Index score of 44.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,943rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lawrence County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lawrence County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 82.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lawrence County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lawrence County (44.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Knox County, IN (53.8); Wabash County, IL (43.5); Richland County, IL (36.5).

  • 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). Lawrence County's score of 44.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lawrence 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 Lawrence County?

    Lawrence County, Illinois has a population of approximately 14,813 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.