Pulaski County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Elevated · 56.8 | 4,911 people · 12th most distressed in Illinois
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Pulaski County, IL registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 56.8 — 1158th 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 12th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pulaski County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 94.2 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 94.2
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 91
Income vs. State Median 94
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 65.4
Debt in Collections 57
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 72
Legal Distress 57.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Economic Vitality 40.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 55
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Housing Cost Burden 22.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 79

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated —
McCracken County, KY 57.7 Elevated +1.0
Alexander County, IL 57.6 Elevated +0.9
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal -8.6
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal -12.8
Ballard County, KY 40.1 Normal -16.7
Johnson County, IL 39.8 Normal -17.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pulaski County
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated 0.0
Cumberland County, VA 56.7 Elevated -0.0
Cumberland County, KY 56.6 Elevated -0.2
Sedgwick County, CO 57.0 Elevated +0.2
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pulaski 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 Pulaski 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 Pulaski County, Illinois?

    Pulaski County has a County Distress Index score of 56.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,158th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pulaski County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pulaski County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 94.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pulaski County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pulaski County (56.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: McCracken County, KY (57.7); Alexander County, IL (57.6); Massac County, IL (48.2).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Pulaski County's score of 56.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Pulaski 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 Pulaski County?

    Pulaski County, Illinois has a population of approximately 4,911 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.