Pike County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.5 | 14,342 people · 25th most distressed in Illinois
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Pike County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.5 — 1809th 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 25th of 102 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pike County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.6
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Housing Cost Burden 45.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 19
Homeownership Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 44.4
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 88
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 42
Economic Vitality 44.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 25
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 60
Legal Distress 27.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pike County
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal —
Marion County, MO 47.7 Normal +1.2
Pike County, MO 46.6 Normal +0.1
Adams County, IL 44.8 Normal -1.7
Morgan County, IL 39.0 Normal -7.5
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy -11.9
Scott County, IL 34.0 Healthy -12.5
Ralls County, MO 32.8 Healthy -13.8
Brown County, IL 31.9 Healthy -14.6
Calhoun County, IL 20.5 Healthy -26.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pike County
Gilmer County, GA 46.5 Normal -0.1
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal -0.1
Pike County, MO 46.6 Normal +0.1
Stokes County, NC 46.6 Normal +0.1
Clay County, IN 46.6 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pike 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 Pike 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 Pike County, Illinois?

    Pike County has a County Distress Index score of 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,809th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pike County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pike County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pike County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pike County (46.5) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Marion County, MO (47.7); Pike County, MO (46.6); Adams County, IL (44.8).

  • 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). Pike County's score of 46.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pike 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 Pike County?

    Pike County, Illinois has a population of approximately 14,342 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.