Hancock County, Maine

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.4 | 56,526 people · 10th most distressed in Maine
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Hancock County, ME falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.4 — 2047th 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 10th of 16 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hancock County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 76.7 — worse than roughly 77% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 76.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 89
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 54
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Housing Cost Burden 63.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 25
Consumer Credit Distress 35.5
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 79
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 14
Structural Poverty 30.9
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 26
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 30
Transfer Income Dependency 31
Legal Distress 1.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal —
Washington County, ME 51.1 Elevated +8.8
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal +6.7
Waldo County, ME 46.1 Normal +3.7
Knox County, ME 34.0 Healthy -8.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Knox County, OH 42.4 Normal 0.0
Benton County, WA 42.3 Normal -0.1
Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT 42.5 Normal +0.1
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal -0.1
Montgomery County, VA 42.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hancock County

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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 Hancock 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 Hancock County, Maine?

    Hancock County has a County Distress Index score of 42.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,047th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hancock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hancock County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 76.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Hancock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hancock County (42.4) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Washington County, ME (51.1); Penobscot County, ME (49.1); Waldo County, ME (46.1).

  • 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). Hancock County's score of 42.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Hancock 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 Hancock County?

    Hancock County, Maine has a population of approximately 56,526 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.