Oldham County, Kentucky

County Distress Index: Healthy · 19.6 | 70,183 people · 120th most distressed in Kentucky
American Default Research

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Oldham County, KY ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 19.6 — 3081st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Kentucky, it ranks 120th of 120 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oldham County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 50.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 50.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Housing Cost Burden 28.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 19
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 1
Economic Vitality 20.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 25
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Consumer Credit Distress 14.9
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 50
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 3.8
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oldham County
Oldham County, KY 19.6 Healthy —
Henry County, KY 64.0 Elevated +44.5
Jefferson County, KY 61.7 Elevated +42.1
Clark County, IN 59.1 Elevated +39.6
Trimble County, KY 45.9 Normal +26.3
Shelby County, KY 39.5 Normal +20.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oldham County
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy +0.7
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy +1.1
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy +1.4
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy +1.8
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy +2.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oldham County

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 Oldham 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Oldham County has a County Distress Index score of 19.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,081st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 120th in Kentucky out of 120 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oldham County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oldham County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 50.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Oldham County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oldham County (19.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Henry County, KY (64.0); Jefferson County, KY (61.7); Clark County, IN (59.1).

  • 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). Oldham County's score of 19.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Oldham 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 Oldham County?

    Oldham County, Kentucky has a population of approximately 70,183 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.