Tipton County, Indiana

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.8 | 15,256 people · 83rd most distressed in Indiana
American Default Research

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Tipton County, IN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.8 — 2538th 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 83rd of 92 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Tipton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 72.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 72.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Consumer Credit Distress 38.7
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 40
Economic Vitality 33.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 31
Rent-to-Income Ratio 15
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Structural Poverty 25.9
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Housing Cost Burden 15.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 7
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Tipton County
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy —
Howard County, IN 65.8 Serious +32.0
Grant County, IN 65.7 Serious +31.9
Madison County, IN 65.3 Serious +31.6
Clinton County, IN 46.1 Normal +12.3
Hamilton County, IN 24.2 Healthy -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Tipton County
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +0.0
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Price County, WI 33.8 Healthy +0.1
Stewart County, TN 33.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Tipton 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 Tipton 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 Tipton County, Indiana?

    Tipton County has a County Distress Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,538th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Indiana out of 92 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Tipton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Tipton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 72.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Tipton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Tipton County (33.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Howard County, IN (65.8); Grant County, IN (65.7); Madison County, IN (65.3).

  • 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). Tipton County's score of 33.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Tipton 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 Tipton County?

    Tipton County, Indiana has a population of approximately 15,256 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.