Leelanau County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.7 | 23,019 people · 83rd most distressed in Michigan
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Leelanau County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.7 — 3092nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Michigan, it ranks 83rd of 83 counties. It scores lower 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. Leelanau County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 56.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 56.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 10
Housing Cost Burden 32.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 32
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 1
Structural Poverty 18.3
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 4
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 14
Consumer Credit Distress 7.2
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 1
Legal Distress 5.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Leelanau County
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy —
Schoolcraft County, MI 39.1 Normal +20.4
Delta County, MI 38.0 Normal +19.2
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy +15.9
Benzie County, MI 32.3 Healthy +13.6
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy +11.8
Charlevoix County, MI 29.5 Healthy +10.7
Door County, WI 23.6 Healthy +4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Leelanau County
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy -0.1
Oconee County, GA 18.6 Healthy -0.2
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy -0.6
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -0.6
Iowa County, WI 19.4 Healthy +0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Leelanau 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 Leelanau 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Leelanau County, Michigan?

    Leelanau County has a County Distress Index score of 18.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,092nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Leelanau County?

    The primary driver of distress in Leelanau County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 56.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Leelanau County compare to neighboring counties?

    Leelanau County (18.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Schoolcraft County, MI (39.1); Delta County, MI (38.0); Grand Traverse County, MI (34.6).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Leelanau County's score of 18.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Leelanau 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 Leelanau County?

    Leelanau County, Michigan has a population of approximately 23,019 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.