Delta County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.0 | 36,790 people · 60th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Delta County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.0 — 2314th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Michigan, it ranks 60th of 83 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Delta County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.8 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.8
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 55
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Economic Vitality 47.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 4
Housing Cost Burden 47.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 27.1
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 21
Legal Distress 13.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Delta County
Delta County, MI 38.0 Normal —
Menominee County, MI 40.3 Normal +2.3
Schoolcraft County, MI 39.1 Normal +1.2
Marquette County, MI 39.0 Normal +1.0
Alger County, MI 29.9 Healthy -8.1
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy -14.4
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy -19.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Delta County
Crawford County, IA 38.0 Normal -0.0
Daviess County, IN 37.9 Normal -0.0
Fountain County, IN 38.0 Normal +0.0
North Slope Borough, AK 37.9 Normal -0.1
Clark County, IL 37.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Delta County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Delta County.

LEGAL SERVICES OF NORTHERN MICHIGAN, INC.
Escanaba
906-786-2303-3 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab

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 Delta 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 Delta County, Michigan?

    Delta County has a County Distress Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,314th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 60th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Delta County?

    The primary driver of distress in Delta County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Delta County compare to neighboring counties?

    Delta County (38.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Menominee County, MI (40.3); Schoolcraft County, MI (39.1); Marquette County, MI (39.0).

  • 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 Normal 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). Delta County's score of 38.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Delta 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 Delta County?

    Delta County, Michigan has a population of approximately 36,790 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.