Kalkaska County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.0 | 18,490 people · 18th most distressed in Michigan
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Kalkaska County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.0 — 1337th 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 18th of 83 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kalkaska County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 66.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 66.0
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 63
Disability Rate 70
Transfer Income Dependency 75
Housing Cost Burden 62.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 60
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 53.0
Debt in Collections 53
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 59
Credit Card Delinquency 75
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 49
Legal Distress 51.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Economic Vitality 22.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 6
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kalkaska County
Kalkaska County, MI 54.0 Elevated —
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated -1.8
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated -1.8
Crawford County, MI 50.0 Elevated -4.0
Otsego County, MI 49.2 Normal -4.8
Missaukee County, MI 46.3 Normal -7.7
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy -19.4
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy -23.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kalkaska County
Edmonson County, KY 54.0 Elevated -0.0
Perquimans County, NC 54.0 Elevated -0.0
Yell County, AR 53.9 Elevated -0.1
Glenn County, CA 54.1 Elevated +0.1
Wright County, MO 53.9 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County, Michigan?

    Kalkaska County has a County Distress Index score of 54.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,337th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 18th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kalkaska County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kalkaska County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 66.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Kalkaska County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kalkaska County (54.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Roscommon County, MI (52.2); Wexford County, MI (52.2); Crawford County, MI (50.0).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Kalkaska County's score of 54.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Kalkaska 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 Kalkaska County?

    Kalkaska County, Michigan has a population of approximately 18,490 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.