Ionia County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.2 | 66,262 people · 35th most distressed in Michigan
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Ionia County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.2 — 1699th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Michigan, it ranks 35th 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. Ionia County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 68.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 79
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Housing Cost Burden 59.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 69
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 66
Homeownership Rate 34
Consumer Credit Distress 43.6
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 61
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 38
Structural Poverty 38.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 41
Legal Distress 34.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ionia County
Ionia County, MI 48.2 Normal —
Gratiot County, MI 47.5 Normal -0.7
Montcalm County, MI 47.1 Normal -1.1
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal -4.7
Eaton County, MI 40.8 Normal -7.4
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal -12.6
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy -19.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ionia County
Monroe County, IN 48.2 Normal -0.0
Beaufort County, SC 48.4 Normal +0.2
Kenton County, KY 48.0 Normal -0.2
Columbia County, GA 48.0 Normal -0.2
Warren County, NY 48.4 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ionia County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Ionia County.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - IONIA
Ionia
517-887-4575 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomebuyer Education

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 Ionia 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 Ionia County, Michigan?

    Ionia County has a County Distress Index score of 48.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,699th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ionia County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ionia County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Ionia County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ionia County (48.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Gratiot County, MI (47.5); Montcalm County, MI (47.1); Kent County, MI (43.5).

  • 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 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). Ionia County's score of 48.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ionia 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 Ionia County?

    Ionia County, Michigan has a population of approximately 66,262 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.