Eaton County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.8 | 108,820 people · 53rd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Eaton County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.8 — 2140th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Michigan, it ranks 53rd of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Eaton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 67.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 67.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 67
Housing Cost Burden 51.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 64
Homeownership Rate 51
Economic Vitality 51.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Structural Poverty 32.4
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 16
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 32.0
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Eaton County
Eaton County, MI 40.8 Normal —
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious +24.3
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +17.7
Ingham County, MI 56.9 Elevated +16.0
Ionia County, MI 48.2 Normal +7.4
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal -5.2
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy -12.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Eaton County
Napa County, CA 40.8 Normal -0.0
St. Mary's County, MD 40.8 Normal -0.0
Madison County, NY 41.0 Normal +0.1
Wood County, OH 41.0 Normal +0.2
Iron County, UT 41.0 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Eaton County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Eaton County.

HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF MICHIGAN
Lansing
517-485-1006 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
HOUSING SERVICES MID MICHIGAN
Charlotte
517-541-1180
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFair HousingHomeless/Displacement

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 Eaton 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 Eaton County, Michigan?

    Eaton County has a County Distress Index score of 40.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,140th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Eaton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Eaton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 67.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Eaton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Eaton County (40.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Calhoun County, MI (65.1); Jackson County, MI (58.5); Ingham County, MI (56.9).

  • 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). Eaton County's score of 40.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Eaton 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 Eaton County?

    Eaton County, Michigan has a population of approximately 108,820 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.