Calhoun County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.1 | 133,366 people · 3rd most distressed in Michigan
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Calhoun County, MI shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.1 — 638th 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 3rd of 83 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Calhoun County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 60
Consumer Credit Distress 66.9
Debt in Collections 77
Medical Debt 78
Auto Loan Delinquency 68
Credit Card Delinquency 65
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 66
Legal Distress 66.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Structural Poverty 59.0
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 58
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 66
Economic Vitality 46.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 74
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 65

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious —
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated -6.6
Kalamazoo County, MI 52.2 Elevated -12.9
Branch County, MI 51.8 Elevated -13.3
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal -16.9
St. Joseph County, MI 47.4 Normal -17.7
Eaton County, MI 40.8 Normal -24.3
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal -29.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Navajo County, AZ 65.2 Serious +0.0
Lynchburg city, VA 65.2 Serious +0.1
Rusk County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1
Houston County, AL 65.3 Serious +0.1
Brazos County, TX 65.3 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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

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Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Calhoun County has a County Distress Index score of 65.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 638th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calhoun County?

    The primary driver of distress in Calhoun County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Calhoun County compare to neighboring counties?

    Calhoun County (65.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jackson County, MI (58.5); Kalamazoo County, MI (52.2); Branch County, MI (51.8).

  • 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 Serious 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). Calhoun County's score of 65.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Calhoun 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 Calhoun County?

    Calhoun County, Michigan has a population of approximately 133,366 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.