Hillsdale County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.3 | 45,587 people · 34th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Hillsdale County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.3 — 1696th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Michigan, it ranks 34th 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. Hillsdale County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 60.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 60.6
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 58
Child Poverty Rate 56
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Legal Distress 57.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Consumer Credit Distress 49.7
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 45
Economic Vitality 44.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 18
Housing Cost Burden 36.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 35
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 61
Homeownership Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hillsdale County
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal —
Calhoun County, MI 65.1 Serious +16.9
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +10.2
Branch County, MI 51.8 Elevated +3.5
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated +3.5
Williams County, OH 49.5 Normal +1.3
Steuben County, IN 40.0 Normal -8.3
Fulton County, OH 34.0 Healthy -14.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hillsdale County
Miller County, MO 48.2 Normal -0.0
Rio Arriba County, NM 48.2 Normal -0.0
Massac County, IL 48.2 Normal -0.1
Woodward County, OK 48.3 Normal +0.1
Roane County, WV 48.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hillsdale County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Hillsdale County.

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY - HILLSDALE BRANCH
Hillsdale
517-437-3346 Website
Financial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPost-PurchasePre-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 Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County, Michigan?

    Hillsdale County has a County Distress Index score of 48.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,696th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hillsdale County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hillsdale County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 60.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hillsdale County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hillsdale County (48.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Calhoun County, MI (65.1); Jackson County, MI (58.5); Branch County, MI (51.8).

  • 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 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). Hillsdale County's score of 48.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Hillsdale 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 Hillsdale County?

    Hillsdale County, Michigan has a population of approximately 45,587 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.