Fountain County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.0 | 16,731 people · 75th most distressed in Indiana
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Fountain County, IN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.0 — 2312th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Indiana, it ranks 75th 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. Fountain County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 63.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 63.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Structural Poverty 47.3
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 72
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Economic Vitality 41.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 19
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Consumer Credit Distress 37.6
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 52
Housing Cost Burden 23.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 33
Homeownership Rate 49

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fountain County
Fountain County, IN 38.0 Normal —
Tippecanoe County, IN 55.8 Elevated +17.8
Vermillion County, IN 52.3 Elevated +14.3
Montgomery County, IN 51.9 Elevated +13.9
Parke County, IN 46.4 Normal +8.4
Warren County, IN 35.8 Normal -2.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fountain County
Delta County, MI 38.0 Normal -0.0
Marshall County, IN 38.0 Normal +0.0
Crawford County, IA 38.0 Normal -0.0
Daviess County, IN 37.9 Normal -0.1
North Slope Borough, AK 37.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fountain 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 Fountain 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 Fountain County, Indiana?

    Fountain County has a County Distress Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,312th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 75th in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fountain County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fountain County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 63.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Fountain County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fountain County (38.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Tippecanoe County, IN (55.8); Vermillion County, IN (52.3); Montgomery County, IN (51.9).

  • 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). Fountain County's score of 38.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Fountain 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 Fountain County?

    Fountain County, Indiana has a population of approximately 16,731 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.