Warren County, Kentucky

County Distress Index: Elevated · 63.8 | 142,229 people · 38th most distressed in Kentucky
American Default Research

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Warren County, KY registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 63.8 — 720th 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 38th of 120 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Warren County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 88.6 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 88.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 89
Housing Cost Burden 78.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 83
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 64.6
Debt in Collections 68
Medical Debt 80
Auto Loan Delinquency 63
Credit Card Delinquency 59
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 65
Economic Vitality 48.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 52
Structural Poverty 34.3
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Warren County, KY 63.8 Elevated —
Simpson County, KY 68.0 Serious +4.2
Barren County, KY 67.1 Serious +3.3
Allen County, KY 63.5 Elevated -0.2
Butler County, KY 60.7 Elevated -3.1
Logan County, KY 55.4 Elevated -8.4
Edmonson County, KY 54.0 Elevated -9.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Rankin County, MS 63.7 Elevated -0.1
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated -0.1
Cherokee County, SC 63.8 Elevated +0.1
Valencia County, NM 63.7 Elevated -0.1
Franklin County, NC 63.9 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Warren County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Warren County.

HOUSING ASSISTANCE AND DEVELOPMENT SERVICES, INC.
Bowling Green
270-796-4176 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase
KENTUCKY LEGAL AID
Bowling Green
270-782-1924
Foreclosure PreventionHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase
LIVE THE DREAM DEVELOPMENT, INC
Bowling Green
270-843-6071
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Warren 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 Warren County, Kentucky?

    Warren County has a County Distress Index score of 63.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 720th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Kentucky out of 120 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Warren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Warren County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 88.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Warren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Warren County (63.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Simpson County, KY (68.0); Barren County, KY (67.1); Allen County, KY (63.5).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Warren County's score of 63.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Warren 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 Warren County?

    Warren County, Kentucky has a population of approximately 142,229 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.