Charlevoix County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 29.5 | 26,159 people · 78th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Charlevoix County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 29.5 — 2785th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Michigan, it ranks 78th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Charlevoix County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 50.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 50.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 56
Homeownership Rate 8
Structural Poverty 30.6
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Consumer Credit Distress 24.7
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 21
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 17
Economic Vitality 18.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 5
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 24
Legal Distress 9.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Charlevoix County
Charlevoix County, MI 29.5 Healthy —
Otsego County, MI 49.2 Normal +19.7
Cheboygan County, MI 41.7 Normal +12.2
Schoolcraft County, MI 39.1 Normal +9.7
Mackinac County, MI 35.0 Healthy +5.5
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy +1.1
Emmet County, MI 27.1 Healthy -2.4
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy -10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Charlevoix County
Lake County, SD 29.5 Healthy -0.0
Dodge County, MN 29.5 Healthy +0.0
Walsh County, ND 29.4 Healthy -0.0
Juneau City and Borough, AK 29.5 Healthy +0.1
Kodiak Island Borough, AK 29.3 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Charlevoix County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Charlevoix County.

NORTHERN HOMES COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
Boyne City
231-582-6244 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase

See all counselors in Michigan →

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 Charlevoix 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 Charlevoix County, Michigan?

    Charlevoix County has a County Distress Index score of 29.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,785th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 78th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Charlevoix County?

    The primary driver of distress in Charlevoix County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 50.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Charlevoix County compare to neighboring counties?

    Charlevoix County (29.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Otsego County, MI (49.2); Cheboygan County, MI (41.7); Schoolcraft County, MI (39.1).

  • 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). Charlevoix County's score of 29.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Charlevoix 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 Charlevoix County?

    Charlevoix County, Michigan has a population of approximately 26,159 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.