Baraga County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.7 | 8,310 people · 80th most distressed in Michigan
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Baraga County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.7 — 2814th 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 Michigan, it ranks 80th of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Baraga County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 75.3 — worse than roughly 75% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 75.3
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 65
Income vs. State Median 69
Child Poverty Rate 57
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Economic Vitality 47.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Consumer Credit Distress 22.3
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 8
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 20
Housing Cost Burden 13.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 35
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Baraga County
Baraga County, MI 28.7 Healthy —
Iron County, MI 47.6 Normal +18.9
Marquette County, MI 39.0 Normal +10.3
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal +8.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Baraga County
Eddy County, ND 28.7 Healthy 0.0
Platte County, WY 28.6 Healthy -0.1
Lake of the Woods County, MN 28.8 Healthy +0.1
Beaver County, OK 28.9 Healthy +0.2
Phelps County, NE 28.9 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Baraga 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 Baraga 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 Baraga County, Michigan?

    Baraga County has a County Distress Index score of 28.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,814th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 80th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Baraga County?

    The primary driver of distress in Baraga County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 75.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Baraga County compare to neighboring counties?

    Baraga County (28.7) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Iron County, MI (47.6); Marquette County, MI (39.0); Houghton County, MI (37.5).

  • 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). Baraga County's score of 28.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Baraga 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 Baraga County?

    Baraga County, Michigan has a population of approximately 8,310 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.