Lake County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.9 | 12,734 people · 7th most distressed in Michigan
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Lake County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.9 — 1025th 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 7th 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. Lake County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 91.8 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 91.8
Unemployment Rate 93
Poverty Rate 89
Income vs. State Median 86
Child Poverty Rate 94
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 77.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 80
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Housing Cost Burden 70.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 83
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 57
Homeownership Rate 14
Consumer Credit Distress 44.3
Debt in Collections 50
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 57
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 57
Legal Distress 33.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Lake County, MI 58.9 Elevated —
Osceola County, MI 54.4 Elevated -4.5
Mecosta County, MI 54.3 Elevated -4.6
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated -6.7
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal -12.1
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -15.0
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal -19.2
Oceana County, MI 34.3 Healthy -24.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lake County
Clay County, AL 58.9 Elevated +0.0
Iberville Parish, LA 58.9 Elevated +0.0
Wayne County, TN 58.9 Elevated -0.1
Perry County, OH 58.8 Elevated -0.1
Grant County, KY 59.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lake 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 Lake 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 Lake County, Michigan?

    Lake County has a County Distress Index score of 58.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,025th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 7th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lake County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lake County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 91.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Lake County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lake County (58.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Osceola County, MI (54.4); Mecosta County, MI (54.3); Wexford County, MI (52.2).

  • 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). Lake County's score of 58.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lake 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 Lake County?

    Lake County, Michigan has a population of approximately 12,734 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.