York County, Maine

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.8 | 218,586 people · 14th most distressed in Maine
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York County, ME ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.8 — 2535th 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 14th of 16 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. York County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 75.7 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 75.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 93
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Housing Cost Burden 59.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 41
Consumer Credit Distress 22.6
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 9
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 15
Structural Poverty 16.2
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 7
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 19
Legal Distress 9.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. York County
York County, ME 33.8 Healthy —
Oxford County, ME 47.9 Normal +14.1
Strafford County, NH 45.9 Normal +12.1
Cumberland County, ME 32.6 Healthy -1.2
Carroll County, NH 32.3 Healthy -1.5
Rockingham County, NH 30.7 Healthy -3.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. York County
Cass County, ND 33.7 Healthy -0.1
Bonner County, ID 33.7 Healthy -0.1
Dubuque County, IA 33.6 Healthy -0.2
Winnebago County, WI 33.6 Healthy -0.2
Grafton County, NH 34.0 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in York 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 York 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 York County, Maine?

    York County has a County Distress Index score of 33.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,535th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Maine out of 16 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in York County?

    The primary driver of distress in York County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 75.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does York County compare to neighboring counties?

    York County (33.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Oxford County, ME (47.9); Strafford County, NH (45.9); Cumberland County, ME (32.6).

  • 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 Healthy 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). York County's score of 33.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    York 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 York County?

    York County, Maine has a population of approximately 218,586 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.