Putnam County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 5,561 people · 82nd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Putnam County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2702nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Illinois, it ranks 82nd of 102 counties. Among its 3 neighboring counties, 2 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Putnam County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Housing Cost Burden 40.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 34
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 63
Homeownership Rate 16
Structural Poverty 32.4
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 22
Child Poverty Rate 23
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 18
Consumer Credit Distress 22.4
Debt in Collections 6
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 64
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 18
Economic Vitality 16.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Putnam County, IL 31.0 Healthy —
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal +8.5
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy +1.2
Marshall County, IL 28.1 Healthy -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Custer County, ID 31.0 Healthy 0.0
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy +0.1
Hamilton County, NY 31.1 Healthy +0.1
Frontier County, NE 30.9 Healthy -0.1
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County, Illinois?

    Putnam County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,702nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Putnam County?

    The primary driver of distress in Putnam County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Putnam County compare to neighboring counties?

    Putnam County (31.0) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: LaSalle County, IL (39.5); Bureau County, IL (32.2); Marshall County, IL (28.1).

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

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

    Putnam 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 Putnam County?

    Putnam County, Illinois has a population of approximately 5,561 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.