Livingston County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.6 | 35,320 people · 73rd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Livingston County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.6 — 2609th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Illinois, it ranks 73rd of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Livingston County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 56.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 56.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Structural Poverty 37.8
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Economic Vitality 34.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Housing Cost Burden 29.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 28.4
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 40

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Livingston County
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy —
Kankakee County, IL 60.8 Elevated +28.2
Grundy County, IL 45.1 Normal +12.5
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal +7.0
McLean County, IL 36.9 Normal +4.3
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -0.5
Woodford County, IL 21.1 Healthy -11.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Livingston County
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.0
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy +0.0
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy +0.1
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy +0.1
Archuleta County, CO 32.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Livingston County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Livingston County.

MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION OF PONTIAC
PONTIAC
815-844-8812 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-Purchase

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 Livingston 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 Livingston County, Illinois?

    Livingston County has a County Distress Index score of 32.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,609th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Livingston County?

    The primary driver of distress in Livingston County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 56.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Livingston County compare to neighboring counties?

    Livingston County (32.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Kankakee County, IL (60.8); Grundy County, IL (45.1); LaSalle County, IL (39.5).

  • 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 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). Livingston County's score of 32.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Livingston 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 Livingston County?

    Livingston County, Illinois has a population of approximately 35,320 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.