Branch County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.8 | 45,215 people · 22nd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Branch County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.8 — 1466th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where debt and delinquency levels sit above the national average. Within Michigan, it ranks 22nd of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Branch County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 64.2 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 64.2
Debt in Collections 62
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 87
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 54
Structural Poverty 59.4
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 61
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Economic Vitality 37.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 18
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Legal Distress 33.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Housing Cost Burden 32.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 28
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 68
Homeownership Rate 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Branch County
Branch County, MI 51.8 Elevated —
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious +13.3
Kalamazoo County, MI 52.2 Elevated +0.4
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal -3.5
St. Joseph County, MI 47.4 Normal -4.4
Steuben County, IN 40.0 Normal -11.8
LaGrange County, IN 25.3 Healthy -26.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Branch County
Morgan County, OH 51.8 Elevated -0.0
Dawson County, GA 51.8 Elevated +0.0
Montgomery County, IN 51.9 Elevated +0.1
Orleans County, NY 51.9 Elevated +0.1
Arenac County, MI 51.6 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Branch 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 Branch 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 Branch County, Michigan?

    Branch County has a County Distress Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,466th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Branch County?

    The primary driver of distress in Branch County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 64.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Branch County compare to neighboring counties?

    Branch County (51.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Calhoun County, MI (65.1); Kalamazoo County, MI (52.2); Hillsdale County, MI (48.3).

  • 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). Branch County's score of 51.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Branch 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 Branch County?

    Branch County, Michigan has a population of approximately 45,215 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.