Allegan County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.0 | 121,939 people · 74th most distressed in Michigan
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Allegan County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.0 — 2650th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Michigan, it ranks 74th of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Allegan County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 47.1 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 47.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Housing Cost Burden 40.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 1
Legal Distress 35.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 27.6
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 19
Subprime Credit Population 23
Structural Poverty 22.6
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 20
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Allegan County
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy —
Kenosha County, WI 53.6 Elevated +21.6
Kalamazoo County, MI 52.2 Elevated +20.1
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal +17.6
Van Buren County, MI 49.0 Normal +17.0
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal +11.4
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal +4.0
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal +3.6
Ottawa County, MI 32.8 Healthy +0.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Allegan County
Sarpy County, NE 32.1 Healthy +0.0
Chittenden County, VT 32.2 Healthy +0.2
Rockingham County, VA 32.2 Healthy +0.2
Chelan County, WA 32.3 Healthy +0.2
Carroll County, NH 32.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Allegan County

Find an Attorney

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

State Bar of Michigan Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-968-0738

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Allegan County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid & Defender Association of Detroit 313-967-5555
Michigan Legal Help / Wolverine Legal Aid
Neighborhood Legal Services of Michigan 248-548-3838
Michigan Advocacy Program 616-774-0672
Legal Services of South Central Michigan 734-665-6181
Lakeshore Legal Aid (888) 783-8190
Legal Aid of Western Michigan (616) 774-0672
Legal Services of Eastern Michigan (800) 322-4512
Legal Services of Northern Michigan, Inc. (906) 786-2303

Self-Help Resources

Michigan Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides and interactive tools for Michigan foreclosure process and defenses
MSHDA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs, counselor referrals, and MIHAF information

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 Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Allegan County, Michigan?

    Allegan County has a County Distress Index score of 32.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,650th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 74th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Allegan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Allegan County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 47.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Allegan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Allegan County (32.0) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Kenosha County, WI (53.6); Kalamazoo County, MI (52.2); Racine County, WI (49.6).

  • 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). Allegan County's score of 32.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Allegan 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 Allegan County?

    Allegan County, Michigan has a population of approximately 121,939 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.