Carroll County, Maryland

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.3 | 176,639 people · 24th most distressed in Maryland
American Default Research

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Carroll County, MD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.3 — 2633rd 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 Maryland, it ranks 24th of 24 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carroll County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 71.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 71.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 66
House Price Change (YoY) 76
Housing Cost Burden 66.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 5
Legal Distress 41.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Consumer Credit Distress 14.0
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 15
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 11
Structural Poverty 8.6
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, MD 32.3 Healthy —
Baltimore County, MD 62.6 Elevated +30.3
York County, PA 46.1 Normal +13.8
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal +6.5
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal +5.2
Howard County, MD 34.2 Healthy +1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, NH 32.3 Healthy -0.0
Chelan County, WA 32.3 Healthy -0.0
Rockingham County, VA 32.2 Healthy -0.0
Chittenden County, VT 32.2 Healthy -0.1
Cole County, MO 32.5 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carroll 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 Carroll 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Carroll County, Maryland?

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 32.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,633rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Maryland out of 24 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 71.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (32.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Baltimore County, MD (62.6); York County, PA (46.1); Frederick County, MD (38.8).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 32.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Maryland has a population of approximately 176,639 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.