Menard County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.9 | 11,954 people · 83rd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Menard County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.9 — 2707th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Illinois, it ranks 83rd of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Menard County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 71
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 22
Legal Distress 40.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Structural Poverty 34.9
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 31
Consumer Credit Distress 17.0
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Menard County
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy —
Logan County, IL 49.0 Normal +18.1
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal +15.6
Sangamon County, IL 43.1 Normal +12.2
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal +5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Menard County
McLeod County, MN 30.9 Healthy +0.0
De Witt County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy -0.0
York County, NE 30.9 Healthy -0.0
Stutsman County, ND 30.9 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Menard 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 Menard 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 Menard County, Illinois?

    Menard County has a County Distress Index score of 30.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,707th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Menard County?

    The primary driver of distress in Menard County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Menard County compare to neighboring counties?

    Menard County (30.9) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Logan County, IL (49.0); Mason County, IL (46.5); Sangamon County, IL (43.1).

  • 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). Menard County's score of 30.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Menard 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 Menard County?

    Menard County, Illinois has a population of approximately 11,954 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.