Mason County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.5 | 12,523 people · 26th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Mason County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.5 — 1812th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Illinois, it ranks 26th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mason County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 70.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 70.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 71
Structural Poverty 68.3
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 69
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Economic Vitality 55.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 58
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Housing Cost Burden 48.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 16
Consumer Credit Distress 33.6
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 42

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mason County
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal —
Logan County, IL 49.0 Normal +2.5
Fulton County, IL 40.0 Normal -6.5
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal -10.2
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal -10.7
Schuyler County, IL 31.9 Healthy -14.6
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy -15.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mason County
Gilmer County, GA 46.5 Normal 0.0
Mason County, WV 46.4 Normal -0.1
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal +0.1
Kent County, MD 46.4 Normal -0.1
Parke County, IN 46.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mason 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 Mason 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 Mason County, Illinois?

    Mason County has a County Distress Index score of 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,812th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mason County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mason County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 70.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Mason County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mason County (46.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Logan County, IL (49.0); Fulton County, IL (40.0); Cass County, IL (36.2).

  • 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). Mason County's score of 46.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Mason 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 Mason County?

    Mason County, Illinois has a population of approximately 12,523 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.