Macomb County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.1 | 875,101 people · 17th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Macomb County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.1 — 1335th 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 17th of 83 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Macomb County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 92.7 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 92.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 93
Housing Cost Burden 77.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 87
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 47
Consumer Credit Distress 45.8
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 57
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 48
Economic Vitality 43.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 39
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Structural Poverty 31.0
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 32
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Macomb County
Macomb County, MI 54.1 Elevated —
Wayne County, MI 76.2 Serious +22.1
St. Clair County, MI 54.5 Elevated +0.5
Lapeer County, MI 48.8 Normal -5.2
Oakland County, MI 38.1 Normal -16.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Macomb County
Greenville County, SC 53.9 Elevated -0.2
Durham County, NC 54.3 Elevated +0.2
Washington County, AR 53.8 Elevated -0.2
Fort Bend County, TX 54.3 Elevated +0.3
Lane County, OR 54.4 Elevated +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Macomb County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Macomb County.

MSUE- MACOMB COUNTY (CLINTON TOWNSHIP)
CLINTON TWP
586-469-7609 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling
MSUE- MACOMB COUNTY (WARREN)
WARREN
586-469-7609 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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 Macomb 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 Macomb County, Michigan?

    Macomb County has a County Distress Index score of 54.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,335th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Macomb County?

    The primary driver of distress in Macomb County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 92.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Macomb County compare to neighboring counties?

    Macomb County (54.1) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Wayne County, MI (76.2); St. Clair County, MI (54.5); Lapeer County, MI (48.8).

  • 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). Macomb County's score of 54.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Macomb 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 Macomb County?

    Macomb County, Michigan has a population of approximately 875,101 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.