Vernon Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Elevated · 64.9 | 46,250 people · 41st most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Vernon Parish, LA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 64.9 — 645th 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 41st of 64 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Vernon Parish's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.5 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Consumer Credit Distress 73.7
Debt in Collections 83
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 76
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 86
Economic Vitality 63.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Structural Poverty 63.3
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 66
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Housing Cost Burden 44.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 20
Homeownership Rate 96

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Vernon Parish
Vernon Parish, LA 64.9 Elevated —
Natchitoches Parish, LA 77.5 Serious +12.6
Rapides Parish, LA 76.5 Serious +11.6
Allen Parish, LA 72.7 Serious +7.8
Sabine Parish, LA 63.9 Elevated -1.0
Newton County, TX 61.2 Elevated -3.7
Beauregard Parish, LA 56.2 Elevated -8.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Vernon Parish
Lincoln County, MS 64.9 Elevated 0.0
Val Verde County, TX 64.9 Elevated -0.0
Monroe County, TN 64.9 Elevated -0.0
Haralson County, GA 65.0 Elevated +0.0
Bourbon County, KY 64.8 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Vernon 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 Vernon 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 Vernon Parish, Louisiana?

    Vernon Parish has a County Distress Index score of 64.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 645th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 41st in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Vernon Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Vernon Parish is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Vernon Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Vernon Parish (64.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Natchitoches Parish, LA (77.5); Rapides Parish, LA (76.5); Allen Parish, LA (72.7).

  • 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). Vernon Parish's score of 64.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Vernon 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 Vernon Parish?

    Vernon Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 46,250 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.