Androscoggin County, Maine

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.0 | 113,765 people · 1st most distressed in Maine
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Androscoggin County, ME registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.0 — 1270th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Maine, it ranks 1st of 16 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. Androscoggin County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 78.6 — worse than roughly 79% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 78.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 87
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Housing Cost Burden 73.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 64
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 79
Consumer Credit Distress 51.0
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 61
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 48
Structural Poverty 49.3
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Legal Distress 7.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Androscoggin County
Androscoggin County, ME 55.0 Elevated —
Oxford County, ME 47.9 Normal -7.1
Kennebec County, ME 45.8 Normal -9.1
Franklin County, ME 39.2 Normal -15.8
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal -18.6
Cumberland County, ME 32.6 Healthy -22.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Androscoggin County
Parker County, TX 55.0 Elevated -0.0
Tuolumne County, CA 54.9 Elevated -0.1
Sevier County, TN 55.0 Elevated +0.1
Jackson County, AL 55.1 Elevated +0.1
Pickaway County, OH 55.2 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Androscoggin County as a CSV file.

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

Maine State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 207-622-7523

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Legal aid organizations serving Androscoggin County residents at no cost.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance 207-774-8211

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Androscoggin County, Maine?

    Androscoggin County has a County Distress Index score of 55.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,270th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 1st in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Androscoggin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Androscoggin County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 78.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Androscoggin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Androscoggin County (55.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Oxford County, ME (47.9); Kennebec County, ME (45.8); Franklin County, ME (39.2).

  • 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). Androscoggin County's score of 55.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Androscoggin County's CDI score?

    Androscoggin County'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 Androscoggin County?

    Androscoggin County, Maine has a population of approximately 113,765 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.