Somerset County, Maryland

County Distress Index: Serious · 73.8 | 24,910 people · 2nd most distressed in Maryland
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Somerset County, MD shows significant household financial distress with a score of 73.8 — 233rd 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 Maryland, it ranks 2nd of 24 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 82.4 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 82.4
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 92
Income vs. State Median 99
Child Poverty Rate 84
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 93
Housing Cost Burden 80.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 90
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 36
Homeownership Rate 75
Legal Distress 79.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 80
Consumer Credit Distress 70.5
Debt in Collections 83
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 81
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 4
Subprime Credit Population 86
Economic Vitality 56.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Somerset County, MD 73.8 Serious —
Wicomico County, MD 69.7 Serious -4.1
Dorchester County, MD 69.5 Serious -4.3
Accomack County, VA 53.0 Elevated -20.8
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal -28.6
Northumberland County, VA 42.0 Normal -31.8
St. Mary's County, MD 40.8 Normal -33.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Warren County, MS 73.8 Serious +0.0
Ashley County, AR 73.7 Serious -0.1
Greene County, NC 73.6 Serious -0.2
Dodge County, GA 74.0 Serious +0.2
Trinity County, TX 74.0 Serious +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Somerset 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 Somerset 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 Somerset County, Maryland?

    Somerset County has a County Distress Index score of 73.8 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 233rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Maryland out of 24 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Somerset County?

    The primary driver of distress in Somerset County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 82.4 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 (73.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Wicomico County, MD (69.7); Dorchester County, MD (69.5); Accomack County, VA (53.0).

  • 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 Serious 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 73.8 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • 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, Maryland has a population of approximately 24,910 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.