Richland County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.5 | 15,488 people · 60th most distressed in Illinois
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Richland County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.5 — 2389th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 60th of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Richland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 62.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 62.7
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 60
Economic Vitality 37.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Legal Distress 34.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Consumer Credit Distress 32.3
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 25
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 37
Housing Cost Burden 29.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 30
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 54

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
Richland County, IL 36.5 Normal —
Lawrence County, IL 44.2 Normal +7.7
Wabash County, IL 43.5 Normal +7.0
Wayne County, IL 38.4 Normal +1.9
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy -4.9
Clay County, IL 30.9 Healthy -5.7
Crawford County, IL 30.6 Healthy -5.9
Jasper County, IL 20.7 Healthy -15.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Richland County
New Kent County, VA 36.5 Normal +0.0
Carroll County, IN 36.5 Normal -0.1
Miami County, KS 36.5 Normal -0.1
Polk County, MN 36.6 Normal +0.1
Gibson County, IN 36.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Richland County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Richland County.

ERBA RICHLAND COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
OLNEY
217-331-7031-229 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Illinois →

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 Richland 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 Richland County, Illinois?

    Richland County has a County Distress Index score of 36.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,389th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Richland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Richland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 62.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Richland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Richland County (36.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lawrence County, IL (44.2); Wabash County, IL (43.5); Wayne County, IL (38.4).

  • 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). Richland County's score of 36.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Richland 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 Richland County?

    Richland County, Illinois has a population of approximately 15,488 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.