Livingston County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.6 | 196,757 people · 82nd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Livingston County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.6 — 2911th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Michigan, it ranks 82nd of 83 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Livingston County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 54.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 54.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 1
Economic Vitality 51.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 48
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Legal Distress 45.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Consumer Credit Distress 10.8
Debt in Collections 9
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 5
Structural Poverty 9.2
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 11
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Livingston County
Livingston County, MI 26.6 Healthy —
Genesee County, MI 68.0 Serious +41.5
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +31.9
Ingham County, MI 56.9 Elevated +30.3
Shiawassee County, MI 51.5 Elevated +25.0
Washtenaw County, MI 41.9 Normal +15.3
Oakland County, MI 38.1 Normal +11.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Livingston County
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy +0.2
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy +0.2
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy -0.3
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy -0.3
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy +0.8

Download Data

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

Find Help in Livingston 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 Livingston 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 Livingston County, Michigan?

    Livingston County has a County Distress Index score of 26.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,911th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Livingston County?

    The primary driver of distress in Livingston County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 54.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Livingston County compare to neighboring counties?

    Livingston County (26.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Genesee County, MI (68.0); Jackson County, MI (58.5); Ingham County, MI (56.9).

  • 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). Livingston County's score of 26.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Livingston 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 Livingston County?

    Livingston County, Michigan has a population of approximately 196,757 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.