Kenton County, Kentucky

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 171,321 people · 105th most distressed in Kentucky
American Default Research

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Kenton County, KY falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1710th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Kentucky, it ranks 105th of 120 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kenton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 81.9 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 81.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 82
Housing Cost Burden 60.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 61
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 71
Homeownership Rate 71
Consumer Credit Distress 47.2
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 55
Economic Vitality 38.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Structural Poverty 18.5
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 5
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenton County
Kenton County, KY 48.0 Normal —
Hamilton County, OH 60.1 Elevated +12.1
Grant County, KY 59.0 Elevated +11.0
Pendleton County, KY 53.7 Elevated +5.6
Campbell County, KY 45.6 Normal -2.5
Boone County, KY 42.5 Normal -5.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kenton County
Columbia County, GA 48.0 Normal -0.0
Oxford County, ME 47.9 Normal -0.1
Monroe County, IN 48.2 Normal +0.1
Washington County, OH 47.9 Normal -0.1
Yavapai County, AZ 47.9 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kenton County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kenton County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF COVINGTON
Covington
859-581-8974 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
LEGAL AID OF THE BLUEGRASS
Covington
859-431-8200
Foreclosure PreventionHomeless/DisplacementPre-PurchaseRental Help

See all counselors in Kentucky →

Find an Attorney

Kentucky Bar Association Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Kentucky Bar Association Lawyer Referral 502-564-3795

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Kenton County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid of the Bluegrass 1-800-928-4615
Kentucky Legal Aid 1-866-452-9243
Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Kentucky (866) 277-5733
Legal Aid Society (502) 584-1254

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 Kentucky →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Kenton County, Kentucky?

    Kenton County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,710th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 105th in Kentucky out of 120 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kenton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kenton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 81.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Kenton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kenton County (48.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Hamilton County, OH (60.1); Grant County, KY (59.0); Pendleton County, KY (53.7).

  • 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). Kenton County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kenton 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 Kenton County?

    Kenton County, Kentucky has a population of approximately 171,321 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.