Kennebec County, Maine

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.8 | 127,259 people · 8th most distressed in Maine
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Kennebec County, ME falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.8 — 1856th 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 8th of 16 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. Kennebec County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 69.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 69.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 57
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Housing Cost Burden 62.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 56
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 58
Consumer Credit Distress 41.3
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 82
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 30
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 28
Structural Poverty 41.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 33
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 55
Transfer Income Dependency 43
Legal Distress 5.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kennebec County
Kennebec County, ME 45.8 Normal —
Androscoggin County, ME 55.0 Elevated +9.1
Somerset County, ME 50.6 Elevated +4.7
Waldo County, ME 46.1 Normal +0.2
Franklin County, ME 39.2 Normal -6.7
Sagadahoc County, ME 36.4 Normal -9.5
Lincoln County, ME 28.4 Healthy -17.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kennebec County
Dickson County, TN 45.9 Normal +0.0
Strafford County, NH 45.9 Normal +0.0
Tuscola County, MI 45.8 Normal -0.0
Johnson County, MO 45.8 Normal -0.1
Santa Fe County, NM 45.9 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kennebec County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kennebec County.

KENNEBEC VALLEY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM
Waterville
207-859-1500 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Maine →

Find an Attorney

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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Kennebec County residents at no cost.

Pine Tree Legal Assistance 207-774-8211

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Kennebec County has a County Distress Index score of 45.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,856th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 8th in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kennebec County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kennebec County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 69.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Kennebec County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kennebec County (45.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Androscoggin County, ME (55.0); Somerset County, ME (50.6); 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). Kennebec County's score of 45.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kennebec 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 Kennebec County?

    Kennebec County, Maine has a population of approximately 127,259 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.