Madison County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.0 | 262,752 people · 24th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Madison County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.0 — 1778th 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 24th of 102 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Madison County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 67.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 67.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 70
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 64
Homeownership Rate 54
Legal Distress 63.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Economic Vitality 48.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Consumer Credit Distress 37.4
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 48
Structural Poverty 36.8
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 30
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 47
Transfer Income Dependency 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Madison County, IL 47.0 Normal —
St. Louis city, MO 73.9 Serious +26.9
St. Clair County, IL 61.5 Elevated +14.5
St. Louis County, MO 49.0 Normal +2.0
Macoupin County, IL 41.1 Normal -5.9
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal -7.4
Jersey County, IL 36.9 Normal -10.0
Bond County, IL 34.3 Healthy -12.6
St. Charles County, MO 30.1 Healthy -16.8
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy -20.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Clay County, MO 47.0 Normal +0.0
Ventura County, CA 47.3 Normal +0.3
Ocean County, NJ 47.3 Normal +0.4
Cherokee County, GA 47.3 Normal +0.4
Erie County, NY 46.4 Normal -0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Madison County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Madison County.

MADISON COUNTY URBAN LEAGUE
ALTON
618-463-1906-222 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFair HousingHomeless/DisplacementPost-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 Madison 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 Madison County, Illinois?

    Madison County has a County Distress Index score of 47.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,778th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Madison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Madison County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 67.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Madison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Madison County (47.0) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: St. Louis city, MO (73.9); St. Clair County, IL (61.5); St. Louis County, MO (49.0).

  • 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). Madison County's score of 47.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Madison 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 Madison County?

    Madison County, Illinois has a population of approximately 262,752 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.