Shelby County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.2 | 20,568 people · 94th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Shelby County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.2 — 2923rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Illinois, it ranks 94th of 102 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Shelby County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 42.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 42.3
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Economic Vitality 36.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Housing Cost Burden 25.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 19
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 35
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 15
Homeownership Rate 26
Legal Distress 21.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21
Consumer Credit Distress 20.6
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Shelby County
Shelby County, IL 26.2 Healthy —
Coles County, IL 51.9 Elevated +25.7
Macon County, IL 50.8 Elevated +24.6
Christian County, IL 44.4 Normal +18.2
Fayette County, IL 40.7 Normal +14.5
Montgomery County, IL 39.5 Normal +13.3
Moultrie County, IL 25.2 Healthy -1.0
Cumberland County, IL 23.3 Healthy -2.9
Effingham County, IL 22.9 Healthy -3.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Shelby County
Otoe County, NE 26.2 Healthy +0.0
Seward County, NE 26.2 Healthy -0.1
Piatt County, IL 26.3 Healthy +0.1
Jefferson County, ID 26.1 Healthy -0.1
Wabasha County, MN 26.1 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Shelby County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Shelby County.

C.E.F.S. SHELBY COUNTY OUTREACH OFFICE
SHELBYVILLE
217-774-4541 Website
Foreclosure PreventionRental Help

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 Shelby 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Shelby County, Illinois?

    Shelby County has a County Distress Index score of 26.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,923rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 94th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Shelby County?

    The primary driver of distress in Shelby County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 42.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Shelby County compare to neighboring counties?

    Shelby County (26.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Coles County, IL (51.9); Macon County, IL (50.8); 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 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). Shelby County's score of 26.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Shelby 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 Shelby County?

    Shelby County, Illinois has a population of approximately 20,568 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.