Union County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.0 | 16,667 people · 36th most distressed in Illinois
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Union County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.0 — 1954th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Illinois, it ranks 36th of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 71.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 71.0
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 59
Disability Rate 77
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Housing Cost Burden 47.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 69
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 39.1
Debt in Collections 42
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 57
Credit Card Delinquency 40
Uninsured Rate 36
Subprime Credit Population 43
Economic Vitality 37.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 44
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Legal Distress 24.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal —
Jackson County, IL 59.9 Elevated +16.0
Alexander County, IL 57.6 Elevated +13.7
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated +12.8
Williamson County, IL 52.8 Elevated +8.8
Cape Girardeau County, MO 49.7 Normal +5.8
Perry County, MO 45.3 Normal +1.3
Johnson County, IL 39.8 Normal -4.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Stephenson 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 Union County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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 Union County, Illinois?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 44.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,954th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 71.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (44.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jackson County, IL (59.9); Alexander County, IL (57.6); Pulaski County, IL (56.8).

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

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, Illinois has a population of approximately 16,667 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.