Clinton County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.9 | 79,720 people · 79th most distressed in Michigan
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Clinton County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.9 — 2810th 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 79th of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clinton County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 55.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 55.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 8
Economic Vitality 49.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 9
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Legal Distress 40.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 41
Structural Poverty 14.7
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 4
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 3
Disability Rate 22
Transfer Income Dependency 12
Consumer Credit Distress 14.6
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 16
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 4
Subprime Credit Population 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clinton County
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy —
Ingham County, MI 56.9 Elevated +28.0
Shiawassee County, MI 51.5 Elevated +22.6
Ionia County, MI 48.2 Normal +19.4
Gratiot County, MI 47.5 Normal +18.6
Montcalm County, MI 47.1 Normal +18.2
Eaton County, MI 40.8 Normal +12.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clinton County
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy 0.0
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy -0.2
Boone County, IN 28.6 Healthy -0.3
Scott County, MN 29.2 Healthy +0.3
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clinton 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 Clinton 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 Clinton County, Michigan?

    Clinton County has a County Distress Index score of 28.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,810th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 79th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clinton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clinton County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 55.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Clinton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clinton County (28.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ingham County, MI (56.9); Shiawassee County, MI (51.5); Ionia County, MI (48.2).

  • 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). Clinton County's score of 28.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Clinton 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 Clinton County?

    Clinton County, Michigan has a population of approximately 79,720 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.