Warren County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.6 | 16,185 people · 72nd most distressed in Illinois
American Default Research

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

Warren County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.6 — 2605th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Illinois, it ranks 72nd of 102 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Warren County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 46.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 46.7
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 38
Legal Distress 38.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Economic Vitality 37.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 43
Rent-to-Income Ratio 12
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Consumer Credit Distress 36.3
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 43
Housing Cost Burden 12.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Warren County, IL 32.6 Healthy —
McDonough County, IL 60.7 Elevated +28.1
Knox County, IL 57.8 Elevated +25.2
Henderson County, IL 40.8 Normal +8.2
Fulton County, IL 40.0 Normal +7.4
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy -1.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Aitkin County, MN 32.6 Healthy 0.0
Brown County, SD 32.6 Healthy -0.0
Livingston County, IL 32.6 Healthy -0.1
Morrow County, OR 32.7 Healthy +0.1
Nobles County, MN 32.5 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren County, Illinois?

    Warren County has a County Distress Index score of 32.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,605th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 72nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Warren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Warren County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 46.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Warren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Warren County (32.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: McDonough County, IL (60.7); Knox County, IL (57.8); Henderson County, IL (40.8).

  • 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 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). Warren County's score of 32.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Warren 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 Warren County?

    Warren County, Illinois has a population of approximately 16,185 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.