Delaware County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.6 | 112,321 people · 3rd most distressed in Indiana
American Default Research

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Delaware County, IN shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.6 — 456th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Indiana, it ranks 3rd of 92 counties. It scores higher 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. Delaware County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 83.6 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 83.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 97
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 30
Homeownership Rate 81
Legal Distress 81.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 82
Structural Poverty 70.2
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 84
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Consumer Credit Distress 62.1
Debt in Collections 62
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 78
Uninsured Rate 42
Subprime Credit Population 66
Economic Vitality 53.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 74
House Price Change (YoY) 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Delaware County, IN 68.6 Serious —
Grant County, IN 65.7 Serious -2.9
Madison County, IN 65.3 Serious -3.3
Blackford County, IN 58.7 Elevated -9.9
Randolph County, IN 52.0 Elevated -16.6
Jay County, IN 51.4 Elevated -17.2
Henry County, IN 51.4 Elevated -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Ellis County, TX 68.6 Serious 0.0
Houston County, GA 68.6 Serious +0.0
Grayson County, TX 68.6 Serious +0.0
Montgomery County, TN 68.5 Serious -0.1
St. Martin Parish, LA 68.5 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Delaware County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Delaware County.

PATHSTONE CORPORATION - INDIANA
Muncie
765-286-2162 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-Purchase

See all counselors in Indiana →

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 Delaware 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Indiana →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Delaware County has a County Distress Index score of 68.6 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 456th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Delaware County?

    The primary driver of distress in Delaware County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 83.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Delaware County compare to neighboring counties?

    Delaware County (68.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Grant County, IN (65.7); Madison County, IN (65.3); Blackford County, IN (58.7).

  • 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 Serious 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). Delaware County's score of 68.6 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Delaware 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 Delaware County?

    Delaware County, Indiana has a population of approximately 112,321 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.