Lapeer County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.8 | 88,977 people · 32nd most distressed in Michigan
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Lapeer County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.8 — 1655th 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 32nd of 83 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lapeer County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 87
Rent-to-Income Ratio 72
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Housing Cost Burden 73.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 1
Legal Distress 72.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 72
Structural Poverty 35.4
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 21
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Consumer Credit Distress 32.9
Debt in Collections 32
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lapeer County
Lapeer County, MI 48.8 Normal —
Genesee County, MI 68.0 Serious +19.2
St. Clair County, MI 54.5 Elevated +5.7
Macomb County, MI 54.1 Elevated +5.2
Tuscola County, MI 45.8 Normal -3.0
Sanilac County, MI 42.5 Normal -6.3
Oakland County, MI 38.1 Normal -10.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lapeer County
Bartholomew County, IN 48.9 Normal +0.0
Niagara County, NY 48.8 Normal -0.0
Ulster County, NY 48.9 Normal +0.0
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal -0.0
Saline County, KS 49.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lapeer 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 Lapeer 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 Lapeer County, Michigan?

    Lapeer County has a County Distress Index score of 48.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,655th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 32nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lapeer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lapeer County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Lapeer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lapeer County (48.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Genesee County, MI (68.0); St. Clair County, MI (54.5); Macomb County, MI (54.1).

  • 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). Lapeer County's score of 48.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Lapeer 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 Lapeer County?

    Lapeer County, Michigan has a population of approximately 88,977 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.