Monroe County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.1 | 34,957 people · 101st most distressed in Illinois
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Monroe County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.1 — 3071st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Illinois, it ranks 101st of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 54.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 54.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Housing Cost Burden 44.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 22.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 22
Structural Poverty 8.4
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 8
Transfer Income Dependency 11
Consumer Credit Distress 5.2
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 4
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, IL 20.1 Healthy —
St. Clair County, IL 61.5 Elevated +41.4
St. Louis County, MO 49.0 Normal +28.9
Jefferson County, MO 42.6 Normal +22.5
Randolph County, IL 40.0 Normal +20.0
Ste. Genevieve County, MO 30.6 Healthy +10.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy +0.1
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy +0.1
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy -0.3
Washington County, IL 19.8 Healthy -0.3
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Monroe 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 Monroe 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Monroe County, Illinois?

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 20.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,071st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 101st in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 54.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (20.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: St. Clair County, IL (61.5); St. Louis County, MO (49.0); Jefferson County, MO (42.6).

  • 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). Monroe County's score of 20.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Monroe 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 Monroe County?

    Monroe County, Illinois has a population of approximately 34,957 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.