Genesee County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.0 | 401,522 people · 2nd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Genesee County, MI shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.0 — 491st 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 2nd of 83 counties. It scores higher 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. Genesee County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Housing Cost Burden 83.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 90
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 67
Structural Poverty 69.5
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 78
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 79
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Consumer Credit Distress 62.5
Debt in Collections 67
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 78
Credit Card Delinquency 64
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 69
Economic Vitality 32.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Genesee County
Genesee County, MI 68.0 Serious —
Saginaw County, MI 63.1 Elevated -5.0
Shiawassee County, MI 51.5 Elevated -16.5
Lapeer County, MI 48.8 Normal -19.2
Tuscola County, MI 45.8 Normal -22.2
Oakland County, MI 38.1 Normal -30.0
Livingston County, MI 26.6 Healthy -41.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Genesee County
Passaic County, NJ 68.0 Serious -0.1
Leon County, FL 68.2 Serious +0.2
Merced County, CA 67.7 Serious -0.4
Gwinnett County, GA 68.5 Serious +0.5
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious -0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Genesee County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Genesee County.

GENESEE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Flint
810-766-9089 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFair HousingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
METRO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Flint
810-767-4622 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-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 Genesee 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 Genesee County, Michigan?

    Genesee County has a County Distress Index score of 68.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 491st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Genesee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Genesee County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Genesee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Genesee County (68.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Saginaw County, MI (63.1); Shiawassee County, MI (51.5); Lapeer County, MI (48.8).

  • 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 Serious 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). Genesee County's score of 68.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Genesee 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 Genesee County?

    Genesee County, Michigan has a population of approximately 401,522 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.