Ripley County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.7 | 29,227 people · 62nd most distressed in Indiana
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Ripley County, IN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.7 — 1972nd 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 62nd of 92 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ripley County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 72.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 72.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Housing Cost Burden 57.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 30
Consumer Credit Distress 39.3
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 49
Structural Poverty 29.7
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 33
Economic Vitality 29.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 19
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ripley County
Ripley County, IN 43.7 Normal —
Ohio County, IN 59.8 Elevated +16.1
Jennings County, IN 59.2 Elevated +15.5
Switzerland County, IN 55.5 Elevated +11.8
Jefferson County, IN 52.1 Elevated +8.4
Decatur County, IN 48.5 Normal +4.8
Dearborn County, IN 42.5 Normal -1.2
Franklin County, IN 30.7 Healthy -13.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ripley County
Chippewa County, MI 43.7 Normal +0.0
Delaware County, NY 43.6 Normal -0.1
Greene County, NY 43.8 Normal +0.1
Paulding County, OH 43.6 Normal -0.1
Isanti County, MN 43.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ripley 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 Ripley 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 Ripley County, Indiana?

    Ripley County has a County Distress Index score of 43.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,972nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ripley County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ripley County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 72.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Ripley County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ripley County (43.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Ohio County, IN (59.8); Jennings County, IN (59.2); Switzerland County, IN (55.5).

  • 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). Ripley County's score of 43.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ripley 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 Ripley County?

    Ripley County, Indiana has a population of approximately 29,227 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.