Vermilion County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.1 | 71,652 people · 8th most distressed in Illinois
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Vermilion County, IL registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.1 — 1068th 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 8th of 102 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Vermilion County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 78.0 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 78.0
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 84
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 88
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Consumer Credit Distress 58.3
Debt in Collections 74
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 76
Credit Card Delinquency 70
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 68
Legal Distress 55.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 56
Housing Cost Burden 54.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 56
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 10
Homeownership Rate 73
Economic Vitality 39.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Vermilion County
Vermilion County, IL 58.1 Elevated —
Vermillion County, IN 52.3 Elevated -5.8
Benton County, IN 51.3 Elevated -6.8
Champaign County, IL 44.6 Normal -13.5
Edgar County, IL 40.7 Normal -17.4
Iroquois County, IL 36.3 Normal -21.8
Warren County, IN 35.8 Normal -22.3
Ford County, IL 32.1 Healthy -26.0
Douglas County, IL 28.8 Healthy -29.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Vermilion County
Sullivan County, TN 58.0 Elevated -0.0
Blount County, AL 58.2 Elevated +0.1
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +0.1
Josephine County, OR 58.2 Elevated +0.1
Hardin County, KY 58.0 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Vermilion 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 Vermilion 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 Vermilion County, Illinois?

    Vermilion County has a County Distress Index score of 58.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,068th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Vermilion County?

    The primary driver of distress in Vermilion County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 78.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Vermilion County compare to neighboring counties?

    Vermilion County (58.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Vermillion County, IN (52.3); Benton County, IN (51.3); Champaign County, IL (44.6).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Vermilion County's score of 58.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Vermilion 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 Vermilion County?

    Vermilion County, Illinois has a population of approximately 71,652 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.