Calvert County, Maryland

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.6 | 94,728 people · 15th most distressed in Maryland
American Default Research

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Calvert County, MD falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.6 — 1974th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Maryland, it ranks 15th of 24 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. Calvert County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 71.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 71.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 83
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 82
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 1
Economic Vitality 69.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 97
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 53
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Legal Distress 68.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 68
Consumer Credit Distress 32.6
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 38
Structural Poverty 6.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 4
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calvert County
Calvert County, MD 43.6 Normal —
Prince George's County, MD 73.5 Serious +29.9
Dorchester County, MD 69.5 Serious +25.8
Charles County, MD 61.4 Elevated +17.7
Talbot County, MD 41.5 Normal -2.1
Anne Arundel County, MD 40.9 Normal -2.7
St. Mary's County, MD 40.8 Normal -2.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calvert County
Watauga County, NC 43.6 Normal -0.0
Campbell County, VA 43.6 Normal -0.1
Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK 43.8 Normal +0.1
Walla Walla County, WA 43.5 Normal -0.1
Warren County, NJ 43.8 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Calvert County

Find an Attorney

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 410-685-7878

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Calvert County residents at no cost.

Maryland Legal Aid 410-539-5340
Community Law Center (Baltimore) 410-366-0922
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) 410-539-6800
Civil Justice (Baltimore) 410-706-0900

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 Calvert County, Maryland?

    Calvert County has a County Distress Index score of 43.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,974th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Maryland out of 24 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calvert County?

    The primary driver of distress in Calvert County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 71.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Calvert County compare to neighboring counties?

    Calvert County (43.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Prince George's County, MD (73.5); Dorchester County, MD (69.5); Charles County, MD (61.4).

  • 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 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). Calvert County's score of 43.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Calvert 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 Calvert County?

    Calvert County, Maryland has a population of approximately 94,728 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.