Madison County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.3 | 132,504 people · 9th most distressed in Indiana
American Default Research

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Madison County, IN shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.3 — 624th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Indiana, it ranks 9th of 92 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Madison County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.4 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 89
Housing Cost Burden 72.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 56
Homeownership Rate 71
Economic Vitality 65.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 69
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Consumer Credit Distress 60.7
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 57
Credit Card Delinquency 65
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 72
Structural Poverty 57.3
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 67

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Madison County, IN 65.3 Serious —
Delaware County, IN 68.6 Serious +3.3
Grant County, IN 65.7 Serious +0.4
Henry County, IN 51.4 Elevated -14.0
Hancock County, IN 37.8 Normal -27.5
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy -31.6
Hamilton County, IN 24.2 Healthy -41.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Houston County, AL 65.3 Serious -0.1
Brazos County, TX 65.3 Serious -0.1
Rusk County, TX 65.3 Serious -0.1
Yuba County, CA 65.5 Serious +0.1
Lynchburg city, VA 65.2 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Madison County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Madison County.

TRANSITION RESOURCES - PENDLETON
Pendleton
919-899-9911 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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 Madison 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 Madison County, Indiana?

    Madison County has a County Distress Index score of 65.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 624th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Madison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Madison County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Madison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Madison County (65.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Delaware County, IN (68.6); Grant County, IN (65.7); Henry County, IN (51.4).

  • 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 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). Madison County's score of 65.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Madison 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 Madison County?

    Madison County, Indiana has a population of approximately 132,504 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.