Berkshire County, Massachusetts

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.6 | 126,818 people · 4th most distressed in Massachusetts
American Default Research

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Berkshire County, MA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.6 — 1597th 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 Massachusetts, it ranks 4th of 14 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Berkshire County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 86.9 — worse than roughly 87% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 86.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 85
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 90
Homeownership Rate 71
Economic Vitality 72.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 10
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Structural Poverty 60.0
Unemployment Rate 80
Poverty Rate 41
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 50
Consumer Credit Distress 30.1
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 25
Legal Distress 15.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Berkshire County
Berkshire County, MA 49.6 Normal —
Hampden County, MA 66.5 Serious +16.8
Franklin County, MA 48.5 Normal -1.1
Rensselaer County, NY 44.0 Normal -5.6
Dutchess County, NY 43.7 Normal -5.9
Bennington County, VT 43.0 Normal -6.6
Hampshire County, MA 39.1 Normal -10.5
Columbia County, NY 38.4 Normal -11.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Berkshire County
Wagoner County, OK 49.6 Normal -0.0
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal +0.0
Miami County, OH 49.7 Normal +0.1
Cass County, MO 49.5 Normal -0.1
Kerr County, TX 49.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Berkshire County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Berkshire County.

BERKSHIRE COUNTY REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY-H
Pittsfield
413-443-7138 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Massachusetts →

Find an Attorney

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

Massachusetts Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 617-654-0400 (Boston); 1-800-392-6164 (statewide)

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Berkshire County residents at no cost.

Greater Boston Legal Services (GBLS) 617-603-1700
Massachusetts Legal Aid (MLA) — Statewide Hotline 617-603-1700 (GBLS); see MassLegalHelp.org for regional offices
South Coastal Counties Legal Services (SCCLS) 508-979-7150 (New Bedford); 508-775-7020 (Hyannis)
Harvard Legal Aid Bureau 617-495-4408
Community Legal Aid, Inc. (508) 752-3718
Northeast Legal Aid, Inc. (978) 458-1465
Volunteer Lawyers Project of the Boston Bar Association (617) 603-1700

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Massachusetts →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Berkshire County, Massachusetts?

    Berkshire County has a County Distress Index score of 49.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,597th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Massachusetts out of 14 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Berkshire County?

    The primary driver of distress in Berkshire County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 86.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Berkshire County compare to neighboring counties?

    Berkshire County (49.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Hampden County, MA (66.5); Franklin County, MA (48.5); Rensselaer County, NY (44.0).

  • 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 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). Berkshire County's score of 49.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Berkshire 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 Berkshire County?

    Berkshire County, Massachusetts has a population of approximately 126,818 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.