Marshall County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.1 | 11,683 people · 90th most distressed in Illinois
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Marshall County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.1 — 2843rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Illinois, it ranks 90th 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. Marshall County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 48.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 48.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 62
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Structural Poverty 45.3
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 22
Income vs. State Median 35
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 48
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Housing Cost Burden 26.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 20
Legal Distress 23.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 20.5
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 21
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marshall County
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy —
Peoria County, IL 56.0 Elevated +27.8
Stark County, IL 52.8 Elevated +24.7
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal +11.4
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy +4.0
Putnam County, IL 31.0 Healthy +2.9
Woodford County, IL 21.1 Healthy -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marshall County
Hamilton County, IA 28.1 Healthy -0.0
Clay County, IA 28.2 Healthy +0.1
Bayfield County, WI 28.0 Healthy -0.1
Marion County, IA 28.3 Healthy +0.2
Summit County, CO 27.9 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Marshall 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 Marshall 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Marshall County, Illinois?

    Marshall County has a County Distress Index score of 28.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,843rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 90th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marshall County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marshall County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 48.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Marshall County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marshall County (28.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Peoria County, IL (56.0); Stark County, IL (52.8); 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). Marshall County's score of 28.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Marshall 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 Marshall County?

    Marshall County, Illinois has a population of approximately 11,683 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.