Madison Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 78.1 | 9,246 people · 9th most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Madison Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 78.1 — 101st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Louisiana, it ranks 9th of 64 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Madison Parish's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 94.3 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 94.3
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 92
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Legal Distress 93.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 93
Consumer Credit Distress 88.8
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 75
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 91
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 95
Economic Vitality 70.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 58
Rent-to-Income Ratio 93
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 86
Housing Cost Burden 43.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 9
Homeownership Rate 95

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison Parish
Madison Parish, LA 78.1 Serious —
East Carroll Parish, LA 82.9 Crisis +4.9
Warren County, MS 73.8 Serious -4.2
Richland Parish, LA 73.0 Serious -5.1
Tensas Parish, LA 71.2 Serious -6.9
Franklin Parish, LA 68.0 Serious -10.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison Parish
Catahoula Parish, LA 78.7 Serious +0.7
Quitman County, MS 77.2 Serious -0.9
Montgomery County, MS 79.3 Serious +1.2
Sharkey County, MS 79.7 Serious +1.6
Humphreys County, MS 79.7 Serious +1.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Madison Parish

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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 Madison 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Madison Parish has a County Distress Index score of 78.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 101st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Madison Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Madison Parish is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 94.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Madison Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Madison Parish (78.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: East Carroll Parish, LA (82.9); Warren County, MS (73.8); Richland Parish, LA (73.0).

  • 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). Madison Parish's score of 78.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Madison 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 Madison Parish?

    Madison Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 9,246 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.