Emmet County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.1 | 34,123 people · 81st most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Emmet County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.1 — 2888th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Michigan, it ranks 81st of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Emmet County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 48.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 48.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 41
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Housing Cost Burden 38.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 37
Structural Poverty 29.7
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Legal Distress 26.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27
Consumer Credit Distress 17.0
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 24
Subprime Credit Population 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmet County
Emmet County, MI 27.1 Healthy —
Cheboygan County, MI 41.7 Normal +14.6
Mackinac County, MI 35.0 Healthy +7.9
Charlevoix County, MI 29.5 Healthy +2.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Emmet County
Millard County, UT 27.1 Healthy -0.0
Trempealeau County, WI 27.1 Healthy -0.0
Pitkin County, CO 27.0 Healthy -0.1
Fillmore County, MN 27.2 Healthy +0.1
Watonwan County, MN 27.2 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Emmet County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Emmet County.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY, INC.
PETOSKEY
231-347-9070 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 Emmet 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 Emmet County, Michigan?

    Emmet County has a County Distress Index score of 27.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,888th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Emmet County?

    The primary driver of distress in Emmet County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 48.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Emmet County compare to neighboring counties?

    Emmet County (27.1) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Cheboygan County, MI (41.7); Mackinac County, MI (35.0); Charlevoix County, MI (29.5).

  • 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). Emmet County's score of 27.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Emmet 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 Emmet County?

    Emmet County, Michigan has a population of approximately 34,123 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.