Benzie County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.3 | 18,441 people · 73rd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Benzie County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.3 — 2630th 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 Michigan, it ranks 73rd of 83 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Benzie County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 68.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 62
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Housing Cost Burden 48.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 5
Structural Poverty 43.2
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 46
Legal Distress 22.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 16.3
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 23
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Benzie County
Benzie County, MI 32.3 Healthy —
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated +19.9
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal +14.5
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy +2.3
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -8.7
Kewaunee County, WI 22.6 Healthy -9.7
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy -13.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Benzie County
Whitley County, IN 32.3 Healthy 0.0
Nantucket County, MA 32.3 Healthy -0.0
Gunnison County, CO 32.4 Healthy +0.0
Bureau County, IL 32.2 Healthy -0.1
Henry County, OH 32.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Benzie 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 Benzie 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 Benzie County, Michigan?

    Benzie County has a County Distress Index score of 32.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,630th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Benzie County?

    The primary driver of distress in Benzie County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Benzie County compare to neighboring counties?

    Benzie County (32.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Wexford County, MI (52.2); Manistee County, MI (46.9); Grand Traverse County, MI (34.6).

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

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

    Benzie 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 Benzie County?

    Benzie County, Michigan has a population of approximately 18,441 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.