Montcalm County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.1 | 68,154 people · 39th most distressed in Michigan
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Montcalm County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.1 — 1773rd 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 39th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Montcalm County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Structural Poverty 53.8
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 52
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Consumer Credit Distress 43.9
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 51
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 40
Housing Cost Burden 43.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 71
Homeownership Rate 10
Legal Distress 33.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Montcalm County
Montcalm County, MI 47.1 Normal —
Isabella County, MI 59.8 Elevated +12.7
Mecosta County, MI 54.3 Elevated +7.2
Ionia County, MI 48.2 Normal +1.1
Gratiot County, MI 47.5 Normal +0.4
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -3.2
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal -3.6
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy -18.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Montcalm County
Lincoln County, MO 47.1 Normal +0.0
Jessamine County, KY 47.0 Normal -0.0
San Benito County, CA 47.2 Normal +0.1
Santa Rosa County, FL 47.0 Normal -0.1
Clermont County, OH 47.2 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Montcalm 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 Montcalm 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

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Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Michigan →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Montcalm County has a County Distress Index score of 47.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,773rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Montcalm County?

    The primary driver of distress in Montcalm County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Montcalm County compare to neighboring counties?

    Montcalm County (47.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Isabella County, MI (59.8); Mecosta County, MI (54.3); Ionia County, MI (48.2).

  • 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). Montcalm County's score of 47.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Montcalm 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 Montcalm County?

    Montcalm County, Michigan has a population of approximately 68,154 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.