Adams County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.8 | 36,288 people · 82nd most distressed in Indiana
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Adams County, IN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.8 — 2486th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Indiana, it ranks 82nd of 92 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. Adams County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 53.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 53.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 54
Economic Vitality 36.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 13
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 17
Consumer Credit Distress 36.6
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 52
Auto Loan Delinquency 66
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 99
Subprime Credit Population 16
Structural Poverty 30.7
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 51
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 24
Housing Cost Burden 26.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 30
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Adams County, IN 34.8 Healthy —
Allen County, IN 53.7 Elevated +18.9
Jay County, IN 51.4 Elevated +16.6
Van Wert County, OH 44.1 Normal +9.3
Wells County, IN 39.8 Normal +4.9
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy -10.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Madison County, NE 34.8 Healthy -0.0
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy +0.0
Inyo County, CA 34.9 Healthy +0.1
Langlade County, WI 34.8 Healthy -0.1
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Adams County

Find an Attorney

Indiana State Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Indiana State Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 317-639-5465

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Adams County residents at no cost.

Indiana Legal Services (ILS) 317-631-9410 (Indianapolis); 1-888-529-4917 (statewide hotline)
Legal Aid Society of Tippecanoe County 765-742-1050
Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic 317-429-4131

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Adams County, Indiana?

    Adams County has a County Distress Index score of 34.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,486th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Adams County?

    The primary driver of distress in Adams County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 53.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Adams County compare to neighboring counties?

    Adams County (34.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Allen County, IN (53.7); Jay County, IN (51.4); Van Wert County, OH (44.1).

  • 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). Adams County's score of 34.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Adams 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 Adams County?

    Adams County, Indiana has a population of approximately 36,288 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.