Berrien County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.9 | 152,261 people · 26th most distressed in Michigan
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Berrien County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.9 — 1528th 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 Michigan, it ranks 26th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Berrien County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 75.7 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 75.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 85
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 56
Homeownership Rate 58
Economic Vitality 53.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 64
Business Formation Rate 46
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Structural Poverty 45.9
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 41
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 40
Consumer Credit Distress 43.1
Debt in Collections 46
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 61
Credit Card Delinquency 36
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 42
Legal Distress 32.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 32

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Berrien County
Berrien County, MI 50.9 Elevated —
St. Joseph County, IN 59.9 Elevated +9.0
LaPorte County, IN 58.4 Elevated +7.5
Cook County, IL 57.7 Elevated +6.8
Van Buren County, MI 49.0 Normal -1.9
Porter County, IN 47.3 Normal -3.6
Cass County, MI 46.3 Normal -4.6
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal -14.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Berrien County
Grays Harbor County, WA 50.8 Elevated -0.0
Macon County, IL 50.8 Elevated -0.1
Roane County, TN 51.0 Elevated +0.1
Yamhill County, OR 50.8 Elevated -0.1
Tuscarawas County, OH 51.1 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Berrien 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 Berrien 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 Berrien County, Michigan?

    Berrien County has a County Distress Index score of 50.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,528th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 26th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Berrien County?

    The primary driver of distress in Berrien County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 75.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Berrien County compare to neighboring counties?

    Berrien County (50.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: St. Joseph County, IN (59.9); LaPorte County, IN (58.4); Cook County, IL (57.7).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Berrien County's score of 50.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Berrien 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 Berrien County?

    Berrien County, Michigan has a population of approximately 152,261 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.