Washington Parish, Louisiana

County Distress Index: Serious · 75.0 | 44,865 people · 16th most distressed in Louisiana
American Default Research

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Washington Parish, LA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 75.0 — 184th 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 16th of 64 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. Washington Parish's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 88.2 — worse than roughly 88% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 88.2
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 90
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 92
Structural Poverty 87.2
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 92
Disability Rate 94
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Legal Distress 75.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Housing Cost Burden 56.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 73
Economic Vitality 35.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 26

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington Parish
Washington Parish, LA 75.0 Serious —
Tangipahoa Parish, LA 77.8 Serious +2.8
Pike County, MS 77.3 Serious +2.2
Pearl River County, MS 65.6 Serious -9.5
Walthall County, MS 64.4 Elevated -10.7
Marion County, MS 62.5 Elevated -12.5
St. Tammany Parish, LA 59.3 Elevated -15.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington Parish
Bibb County, AL 75.0 Serious -0.0
Cocke County, TN 75.1 Serious +0.0
Sequoyah County, OK 75.0 Serious -0.0
Bristol city, VA 74.9 Serious -0.1
Hamilton County, FL 74.9 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington Parish

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington Parish.

BOGALUSA REBIRTH
Bogalusa
985-735-7283 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingPost-Purchase

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 Washington 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 Washington Parish, Louisiana?

    Washington Parish has a County Distress Index score of 75.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 184th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Louisiana out of 64 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington Parish?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington Parish is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 88.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Washington Parish compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington Parish (75.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Tangipahoa Parish, LA (77.8); Pike County, MS (77.3); Pearl River County, MS (65.6).

  • 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). Washington Parish's score of 75.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Washington 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 Washington Parish?

    Washington Parish, Louisiana has a population of approximately 44,865 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.