Hamilton County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.2 | 371,645 people · 92nd most distressed in Indiana
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Hamilton County, IN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.2 — 2989th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Indiana, it ranks 92nd of 92 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. Hamilton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 64.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 64.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Housing Cost Burden 49.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 40
Economic Vitality 21.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Consumer Credit Distress 13.4
Debt in Collections 8
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 11
Structural Poverty 1.3
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Hamilton County, IN 24.2 Healthy —
Marion County, IN 73.0 Serious +48.9
Madison County, IN 65.3 Serious +41.2
Clinton County, IN 46.1 Normal +21.9
Hancock County, IN 37.8 Normal +13.6
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy +9.6
Boone County, IN 28.6 Healthy +4.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hamilton County
Loudoun County, VA 25.1 Healthy +0.9
Waukesha County, WI 25.3 Healthy +1.1
San Francisco County, CA 25.7 Healthy +1.5
Williamson County, TN 21.4 Healthy -2.8
Johnson County, KS 27.1 Healthy +2.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hamilton 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 Hamilton 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 Hamilton County, Indiana?

    Hamilton County has a County Distress Index score of 24.2 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,989th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 92nd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hamilton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hamilton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 64.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hamilton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hamilton County (24.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Marion County, IN (73.0); Madison County, IN (65.3); Clinton County, IN (46.1).

  • 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). Hamilton County's score of 24.2 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Hamilton 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 Hamilton County?

    Hamilton County, Indiana has a population of approximately 371,645 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.