Mercer County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 15,487 people · 81st most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Mercer County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2698th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Illinois, it ranks 81st of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mercer County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 59.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 59.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 18
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Legal Distress 44.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Structural Poverty 34.4
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 20
Child Poverty Rate 27
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Housing Cost Burden 25.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 8
Consumer Credit Distress 25.0
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy —
Des Moines County, IA 62.6 Elevated +31.6
Knox County, IL 57.8 Elevated +26.8
Rock Island County, IL 52.0 Elevated +20.9
Henderson County, IL 40.8 Normal +9.8
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy +1.6
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy -0.6
Henry County, IL 29.3 Healthy -1.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy -0.0
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy -0.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy +0.0
Shelby County, IA 31.0 Healthy -0.0
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mercer 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County, Illinois?

    Mercer County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,698th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mercer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mercer County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 59.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Mercer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mercer County (31.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Des Moines County, IA (62.6); Knox County, IL (57.8); Rock Island County, IL (52.0).

  • 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). Mercer County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mercer 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 Mercer County?

    Mercer County, Illinois has a population of approximately 15,487 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.