McLean County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.9 | 170,441 people · 59th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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McLean County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.9 — 2369th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Illinois, it ranks 59th of 102 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McLean County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 68
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 84
Economic Vitality 42.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Legal Distress 42.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Consumer Credit Distress 27.3
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 54
Credit Card Delinquency 22
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 31
Structural Poverty 20.3
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 29
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McLean County
McLean County, IL 36.9 Normal —
Logan County, IL 49.0 Normal +12.1
Champaign County, IL 44.6 Normal +7.7
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal -1.1
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy -4.3
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -4.8
De Witt County, IL 30.9 Healthy -6.0
Piatt County, IL 26.3 Healthy -10.6
Woodford County, IL 21.1 Healthy -15.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McLean County
Franklin County, VT 36.9 Normal 0.0
Otsego County, NY 36.8 Normal -0.1
Jefferson County, WV 36.8 Normal -0.1
Sauk County, WI 37.3 Normal +0.4
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in McLean County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near McLean County.

MID CENTRAL COMMUNITY ACTION, INC.
Bloomington
309-829-0691 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 McLean 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 McLean County, Illinois?

    McLean County has a County Distress Index score of 36.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,369th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McLean County?

    The primary driver of distress in McLean County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does McLean County compare to neighboring counties?

    McLean County (36.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Logan County, IL (49.0); Champaign County, IL (44.6); Tazewell County, IL (35.8).

  • 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). McLean County's score of 36.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    McLean 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 McLean County?

    McLean County, Illinois has a population of approximately 170,441 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.