Washington County, Maine

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.1 | 31,555 people · 2nd most distressed in Maine
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Washington County, ME registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.1 — 1513th 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 2nd of 16 counties. It scores higher than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 87.7 — worse than roughly 88% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 87.7
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 86
Income vs. State Median 96
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 93
Economic Vitality 76.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 97
Business Formation Rate 63
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Housing Cost Burden 57.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 70
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 33
Homeownership Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 40.3
Debt in Collections 49
Medical Debt 85
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 11
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 34
Legal Distress 4.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 4

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, ME 51.1 Elevated —
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal -2.1
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal -6.1
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal -8.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Appanoose County, IA 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Fayette County, TN 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Jackson County, IN 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Yadkin County, NC 51.2 Elevated +0.1
Cherokee County, KS 51.0 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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

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Legal aid organizations serving Washington 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 Washington County, Maine?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 51.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,513th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 87.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (51.1) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Penobscot County, ME (49.1); Aroostook County, ME (45.0); Hancock County, ME (42.4).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 51.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Maine has a population of approximately 31,555 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.