LaGrange County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.3 | 40,907 people · 90th most distressed in Indiana
American Default Research

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LaGrange County, IN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.2 — 2959th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency rates remain below the national norm. Within Indiana, it ranks 90th 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. LaGrange County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 34.3 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 34.3
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 99
Subprime Credit Population 16
Legal Distress 32.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33
Economic Vitality 28.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 72
House Price Change (YoY) 72
Housing Cost Burden 11.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 27
Homeownership Rate 11
Structural Poverty 9.8
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 9
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. LaGrange County
LaGrange County, IN 25.3 Healthy —
Elkhart County, IN 60.0 Elevated +34.8
Branch County, MI 51.8 Elevated +26.5
St. Joseph County, MI 47.4 Normal +22.2
Noble County, IN 47.3 Normal +22.0
Steuben County, IN 40.0 Normal +14.8
DeKalb County, IN 38.4 Normal +13.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. LaGrange County
Moultrie County, IL 25.2 Healthy -0.0
Teton County, WY 25.3 Healthy +0.0
Morrison County, MN 25.1 Healthy -0.2
Meade County, SD 25.4 Healthy +0.2
Washington County, NE 25.0 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in LaGrange 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 LaGrange 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 LaGrange County, Indiana?

    LaGrange County has a County Distress Index score of 25.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,959th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 90th in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in LaGrange County?

    The primary driver of distress in LaGrange County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 34.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does LaGrange County compare to neighboring counties?

    LaGrange County (25.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Elkhart County, IN (60.0); Branch County, MI (51.8); St. Joseph County, MI (47.4).

  • 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 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). LaGrange County's score of 25.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    LaGrange 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 LaGrange County?

    LaGrange County, Indiana has a population of approximately 40,907 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.