Aroostook County, Maine

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.0 | 67,351 people · 9th most distressed in Maine
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Aroostook County, ME falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.0 — 1894th 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 9th of 16 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Aroostook County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 74.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 74.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 85
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Structural Poverty 68.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 36
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Housing Cost Burden 60.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 68
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 59
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 50
Consumer Credit Distress 29.7
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 27
Legal Distress 18.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Aroostook County
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal —
Washington County, ME 51.1 Elevated +6.1
Somerset County, ME 50.6 Elevated +5.5
Piscataquis County, ME 49.1 Normal +4.1
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal +4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Aroostook County
Washington County, VA 45.0 Normal -0.0
Grundy County, IL 45.1 Normal +0.0
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal +0.0
Ashland County, OH 45.0 Normal -0.1
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

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

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Legal aid organizations serving Aroostook 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 Aroostook County, Maine?

    Aroostook County has a County Distress Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,894th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 9th in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Aroostook County?

    The primary driver of distress in Aroostook County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 74.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Aroostook County compare to neighboring counties?

    Aroostook County (45.0) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Washington County, ME (51.1); Somerset County, ME (50.6); Piscataquis County, ME (49.1).

  • 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 Normal 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). Aroostook County's score of 45.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Aroostook 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 Aroostook County?

    Aroostook County, Maine has a population of approximately 67,351 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.