Somerset County, Maine

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.6 | 51,302 people · 3rd most distressed in Maine
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Somerset County, ME registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.6 — 1539th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Maine, it ranks 3rd of 16 counties. It scores higher than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Somerset County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 70.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 70.6
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 81
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 75
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Economic Vitality 69.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 71
House Price Change (YoY) 9
Consumer Credit Distress 50.5
Debt in Collections 68
Medical Debt 92
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 40
Housing Cost Burden 44.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 47
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 70
Homeownership Rate 34
Legal Distress 7.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Somerset County, ME 50.6 Elevated —
Piscataquis County, ME 49.1 Normal -1.5
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal -1.5
Waldo County, ME 46.1 Normal -4.5
Kennebec County, ME 45.8 Normal -4.7
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal -5.5
Franklin County, ME 39.2 Normal -11.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT 50.5 Elevated -0.0
Yamhill County, OR 50.8 Elevated +0.2
Daviess County, KY 50.4 Elevated -0.2
Sandoval County, NM 50.4 Elevated -0.2
Macon County, IL 50.8 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Somerset County

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 Somerset 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Maine →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Somerset County has a County Distress Index score of 50.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,539th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Somerset County?

    The primary driver of distress in Somerset County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 70.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Somerset County compare to neighboring counties?

    Somerset County (50.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Piscataquis County, ME (49.1); 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 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). Somerset County's score of 50.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Somerset 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 Somerset County?

    Somerset County, Maine has a population of approximately 51,302 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.