Massac County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.2 | 13,661 people · 23rd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Massac County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.2 — 1700th 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 23rd of 102 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Massac County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 80.1 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 80.1
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 77
Income vs. State Median 78
Child Poverty Rate 91
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 86
Legal Distress 55.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 56
Housing Cost Burden 49.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 39.4
Debt in Collections 62
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 64
Economic Vitality 38.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 63

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Massac County
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal —
McCracken County, KY 57.7 Elevated +9.5
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated +8.6
Livingston County, KY 55.8 Elevated +7.7
Johnson County, IL 39.8 Normal -8.4
Pope County, IL 33.4 Healthy -14.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Massac County
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal +0.0
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal +0.0
Jackson County, WV 48.1 Normal -0.0
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal -0.1
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Massac 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 Massac 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 Massac County, Illinois?

    Massac County has a County Distress Index score of 48.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,700th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Massac County?

    The primary driver of distress in Massac County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 80.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Massac County compare to neighboring counties?

    Massac County (48.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: McCracken County, KY (57.7); Pulaski County, IL (56.8); Livingston County, KY (55.8).

  • 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). Massac County's score of 48.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Massac 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 Massac County?

    Massac County, Illinois has a population of approximately 13,661 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.