Washington County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.8 | 13,536 people · 102nd most distressed in Illinois
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Washington County, IL ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.8 — 3079th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are below the national average. Within Illinois, it ranks 102nd of 102 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 37.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 37.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Structural Poverty 26.7
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 32
Economic Vitality 20.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Consumer Credit Distress 17.3
Debt in Collections 18
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 17
Housing Cost Burden 14.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 8
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 8
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, IL 19.8 Healthy —
St. Clair County, IL 61.5 Elevated +41.7
Jefferson County, IL 54.8 Elevated +35.0
Marion County, IL 53.1 Elevated +33.3
Randolph County, IL 40.0 Normal +20.3
Perry County, IL 38.7 Normal +18.9
Clinton County, IL 26.9 Healthy +7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Osage County, MO 19.8 Healthy +0.0
Monroe County, IL 20.1 Healthy +0.3
Holmes County, OH 19.5 Healthy -0.3
Brookings County, SD 20.1 Healthy +0.3
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, Illinois?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 19.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,079th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 102nd in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 37.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (19.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: St. Clair County, IL (61.5); Jefferson County, IL (54.8); Marion County, IL (53.1).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 19.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Illinois has a population of approximately 13,536 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.