Lincoln Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.7 | 47,962 people · 25th most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Lincoln Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.7 — 327th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Louisiana, it ranks 25th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lincoln Parish's primary driver is Legal Distress at 91.8 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 91.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 92
Housing Cost Burden 89.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 97
Consumer Credit Distress 69.5
Debt in Collections 74
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 82
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 85
Structural Poverty 61.5
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 99
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 27
Transfer Income Dependency 36
Economic Vitality 40.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 59
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln Parish
Lincoln Parish, LA 71.7 Serious —
Ouachita Parish, LA 77.5 Serious +5.8
Claiborne Parish, LA 74.8 Serious +3.1
Bienville Parish, LA 71.6 Serious -0.1
Jackson Parish, LA 61.6 Elevated -10.1
Union Parish, LA 61.4 Elevated -10.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lincoln Parish
Bienville Parish, LA 71.6 Serious -0.1
Tallahatchie County, MS 71.6 Serious -0.1
Howard County, AR 71.6 Serious -0.1
Okfuskee County, OK 71.8 Serious +0.1
Bleckley County, GA 71.6 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lincoln Parish

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 Lincoln 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 Lincoln Parish, Louisiana?

    Lincoln Parish has a County Distress Index score of 71.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 327th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lincoln Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Lincoln Parish is Legal Distress, where the county scores 91.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Lincoln Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Lincoln Parish (71.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Ouachita Parish, LA (77.5); Claiborne Parish, LA (74.8); Bienville Parish, LA (71.6).

  • 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). Lincoln Parish's score of 71.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Lincoln 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 Lincoln Parish?

    Lincoln Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 47,962 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.