Sangamon County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.1 | 193,491 people · 39th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Sangamon County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.1 — 2006th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Illinois, it ranks 39th of 102 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sangamon County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 66.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 66.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 68
Legal Distress 51.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Structural Poverty 38.0
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 27
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 29
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Consumer Credit Distress 37.0
Debt in Collections 42
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 48
Uninsured Rate 6
Subprime Credit Population 44
Economic Vitality 19.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 12
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 4
House Price Change (YoY) 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sangamon County
Sangamon County, IL 43.1 Normal —
Macon County, IL 50.8 Elevated +7.7
Logan County, IL 49.0 Normal +5.9
Christian County, IL 44.4 Normal +1.3
Macoupin County, IL 41.1 Normal -2.0
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal -3.6
Morgan County, IL 39.0 Normal -4.1
Cass County, IL 36.2 Normal -6.9
Menard County, IL 30.9 Healthy -12.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sangamon County
Loudon County, TN 43.1 Normal -0.0
Leavenworth County, KS 43.1 Normal -0.0
Burnet County, TX 43.0 Normal -0.1
Stafford County, VA 43.0 Normal -0.1
Clay County, MN 43.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sangamon County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sangamon County.

SPRINGFIELD HOUSING AUTHORITY
Springfield
217-753-5757
Foreclosure PreventionPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Sangamon 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 Sangamon County, Illinois?

    Sangamon County has a County Distress Index score of 43.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,006th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sangamon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sangamon County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 66.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Sangamon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sangamon County (43.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Macon County, IL (50.8); Logan County, IL (49.0); Christian County, IL (44.4).

  • 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). Sangamon County's score of 43.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Sangamon 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 Sangamon County?

    Sangamon County, Illinois has a population of approximately 193,491 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.