Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.8 | 203,761 people · 21st most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Calcasieu Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.8 — 275th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Louisiana, it ranks 21st of 64 counties. It scores higher 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. Calcasieu Parish's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 83.7 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 83.7
Debt in Collections 92
Medical Debt 99
Auto Loan Delinquency 78
Credit Card Delinquency 84
Uninsured Rate 46
Subprime Credit Population 84
Legal Distress 76.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 76
Housing Cost Burden 74.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 22
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 48.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 37
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 92
Structural Poverty 46.9
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 80
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 35

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calcasieu Parish
Calcasieu Parish, LA 72.8 Serious —
Orange County, TX 68.5 Serious -4.3
Newton County, TX 61.2 Elevated -11.6
Jefferson Davis Parish, LA 58.6 Elevated -14.2
Beauregard Parish, LA 56.2 Elevated -16.6
Cameron Parish, LA 40.2 Normal -32.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calcasieu Parish
McKinley County, NM 72.7 Serious -0.1
Iberia Parish, LA 72.9 Serious +0.1
Pitt County, NC 72.6 Serious -0.2
San Patricio County, TX 72.6 Serious -0.2
Florence County, SC 72.6 Serious -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Calcasieu Parish as a CSV file.

Find Help in Calcasieu Parish

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Calcasieu Parish.

CALCASIEU PARISH HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY
Lake Charles
337-721-4030
Financial CounselingFair HousingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Louisiana →

Find an Attorney

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

Louisiana State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-421-5722

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Calcasieu Parish residents at no cost.

Southeast Louisiana Legal Services 504-529-1000
Acadiana Legal Service Corporation 1-800-256-1175
Southeast Louisiana Legal Services Corporation (504) 529-1000

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 Louisiana →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana?

    Calcasieu Parish has a County Distress Index score of 72.8 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 275th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calcasieu Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Calcasieu Parish is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 83.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Calcasieu Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Calcasieu Parish (72.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Orange County, TX (68.5); Newton County, TX (61.2); Jefferson Davis Parish, LA (58.6).

  • 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 Serious 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). Calcasieu Parish's score of 72.8 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Calcasieu Parish's CDI score?

    Calcasieu Parish'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 Calcasieu Parish?

    Calcasieu Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 203,761 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.