Perry County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.4 | 19,209 people · 63rd most distressed in Indiana
American Default Research

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Perry County, IN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.4 — 1992nd 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 63rd of 92 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Perry County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 65.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 65.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Structural Poverty 51.3
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 66
Consumer Credit Distress 40.8
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 47
Housing Cost Burden 40.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 15
Homeownership Rate 47
Economic Vitality 33.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 25
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 25

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Perry County
Perry County, IN 43.4 Normal —
Crawford County, IN 52.3 Elevated +8.9
Breckinridge County, KY 52.0 Elevated +8.6
Meade County, KY 50.0 Normal +6.6
Hancock County, KY 38.3 Normal -5.1
Spencer County, IN 26.5 Healthy -16.8
Dubois County, IN 24.8 Healthy -18.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Perry County
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal -0.0
Yates County, NY 43.3 Normal -0.1
McKenzie County, ND 43.5 Normal +0.1
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal -0.1
Pulaski County, IN 43.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Perry County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Perry County.

LINCOLN HILLS DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Tell City
812-547-3435 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFair HousingHomeless/DisplacementPost-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 Perry 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 Perry County, Indiana?

    Perry County has a County Distress Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,992nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Perry County?

    The primary driver of distress in Perry County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 65.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Perry County compare to neighboring counties?

    Perry County (43.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Crawford County, IN (52.3); Breckinridge County, KY (52.0); Meade County, KY (50.0).

  • 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). Perry County's score of 43.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Perry 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 Perry County?

    Perry County, Indiana has a population of approximately 19,209 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.