Stephenson County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.0 | 43,105 people · 35th most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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Stephenson County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.0 — 1953rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Illinois, it ranks 35th of 102 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stephenson County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 55.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 55.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 66
Structural Poverty 54.3
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 47
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Legal Distress 50.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Consumer Credit Distress 39.2
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 33
Economic Vitality 19.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 11
Business Formation Rate 73
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stephenson County
Stephenson County, IL 44.0 Normal —
Winnebago County, IL 60.4 Elevated +16.4
Ogle County, IL 32.7 Healthy -11.3
Carroll County, IL 31.2 Healthy -12.8
Jo Daviess County, IL 27.3 Healthy -16.7
Lafayette County, WI 24.8 Healthy -19.2
Green County, WI 22.5 Healthy -21.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stephenson County
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal 0.0
Tioga County, PA 44.0 Normal 0.0
Okanogan County, WA 44.0 Normal -0.0
Crook County, OR 44.0 Normal -0.0
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stephenson 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 Stephenson 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 Stephenson County, Illinois?

    Stephenson County has a County Distress Index score of 44.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,953rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stephenson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stephenson County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 55.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Stephenson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stephenson County (44.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Winnebago County, IL (60.4); Ogle County, IL (32.7); Carroll County, IL (31.2).

  • 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 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). Stephenson County's score of 44.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Stephenson 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 Stephenson County?

    Stephenson County, Illinois has a population of approximately 43,105 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.