White County, Illinois

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.5 | 13,401 people · 41st most distressed in Illinois
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White County, IL falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.5 — 2093rd 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 41st of 102 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. White County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 71.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 71.5
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 58
Disability Rate 87
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Housing Cost Burden 39.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 25
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 40
Economic Vitality 37.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Consumer Credit Distress 37.2
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 55
Uninsured Rate 16
Subprime Credit Population 49
Legal Distress 26.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. White County
White County, IL 41.5 Normal —
Wabash County, IL 43.5 Normal +2.0
Wayne County, IL 38.4 Normal -3.2
Gibson County, IN 36.4 Normal -5.1
Hamilton County, IL 35.7 Normal -5.8
Gallatin County, IL 35.7 Normal -5.9
Edwards County, IL 31.6 Healthy -9.9
Posey County, IN 30.3 Healthy -11.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. White County
Mower County, MN 41.5 Normal +0.0
Talbot County, MD 41.5 Normal -0.0
Isle of Wight County, VA 41.6 Normal +0.0
Webster County, IA 41.6 Normal +0.0
Amador County, CA 41.5 Normal -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in White 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 White 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 White County, Illinois?

    White County has a County Distress Index score of 41.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,093rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Illinois out of 102 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in White County?

    The primary driver of distress in White County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 71.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does White County compare to neighboring counties?

    White County (41.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Wabash County, IL (43.5); Wayne County, IL (38.4); Gibson County, IN (36.4).

  • 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). White County's score of 41.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    White 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 White County?

    White County, Illinois has a population of approximately 13,401 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.