Gladwin County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.0 | 25,853 people · 43rd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Gladwin County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.0 — 1845th 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 43rd of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gladwin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 79.7 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 79.7
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 81
Transfer Income Dependency 89
Legal Distress 72.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Economic Vitality 54.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 44
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 35
Consumer Credit Distress 38.5
Debt in Collections 49
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 52
Subprime Credit Population 18
Housing Cost Burden 29.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gladwin County
Gladwin County, MI 46.0 Normal —
Clare County, MI 60.0 Elevated +14.0
Isabella County, MI 59.8 Elevated +13.8
Ogemaw County, MI 54.9 Elevated +8.9
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated +6.2
Arenac County, MI 51.6 Elevated +5.6
Bay County, MI 44.7 Normal -1.3
Midland County, MI 36.3 Normal -9.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gladwin County
Waldo County, ME 46.1 Normal +0.1
Clinton County, IN 46.1 Normal +0.1
Adams County, NE 45.9 Normal -0.1
Dickinson County, KS 46.1 Normal +0.1
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gladwin 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 Gladwin 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 Gladwin County, Michigan?

    Gladwin County has a County Distress Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,845th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gladwin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gladwin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 79.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Gladwin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gladwin County (46.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clare County, MI (60.0); Isabella County, MI (59.8); Ogemaw County, MI (54.9).

  • 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). Gladwin County's score of 46.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gladwin 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 Gladwin County?

    Gladwin County, Michigan has a population of approximately 25,853 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.