Lenawee County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.8 | 97,520 people · 23rd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Lenawee County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.8 — 1467th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Michigan, it ranks 23rd of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lenawee County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 69.4 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 69.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 69
Housing Cost Burden 64.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 26
Economic Vitality 58.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 52
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Consumer Credit Distress 44.9
Debt in Collections 44
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 45
Structural Poverty 40.6
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 26
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 53

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lenawee County
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated —
Lucas County, OH 66.8 Serious +15.0
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +6.7
Monroe County, MI 48.7 Normal -3.1
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal -3.5
Washtenaw County, MI 41.9 Normal -9.9
Fulton County, OH 34.0 Healthy -17.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lenawee County
Ascension Parish, LA 51.7 Elevated -0.1
Seneca County, OH 51.6 Elevated -0.2
Jefferson County, NY 51.6 Elevated -0.2
Chautauqua County, NY 51.6 Elevated -0.2
Rock Island County, IL 52.0 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lenawee County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lenawee County.

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY - ADRIAN BRANCH
ADRIAN
517-263-7861 Website
Financial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPost-PurchasePre-Purchase

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 Lenawee 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 Lenawee County, Michigan?

    Lenawee County has a County Distress Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,467th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lenawee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lenawee County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 69.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Lenawee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lenawee County (51.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lucas County, OH (66.8); Jackson County, MI (58.5); Monroe County, MI (48.7).

  • 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). Lenawee County's score of 51.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lenawee 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 Lenawee County?

    Lenawee County, Michigan has a population of approximately 97,520 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.