Newaygo County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.9 | 51,108 people · 46th most distressed in Michigan
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Newaygo County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.9 — 1963rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Michigan, it ranks 46th of 83 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newaygo County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 58.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 58.5
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 43
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Housing Cost Burden 45.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 1
Consumer Credit Distress 42.6
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 45
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 39
Subprime Credit Population 40
Economic Vitality 39.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 67
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Legal Distress 24.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newaygo County
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal —
Lake County, MI 58.9 Elevated +15.0
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated +14.0
Osceola County, MI 54.4 Elevated +10.6
Mecosta County, MI 54.3 Elevated +10.4
Montcalm County, MI 47.1 Normal +3.2
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal -0.4
Mason County, MI 39.7 Normal -4.2
Oceana County, MI 34.3 Healthy -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newaygo County
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal +0.0
Boone County, IL 43.9 Normal +0.0
Alexandria city, VA 43.9 Normal +0.1
Warren County, NJ 43.8 Normal -0.1
Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK 43.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Newaygo County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Newaygo County.

TRUENORTH COMMUNITY SERVICES
Fremont
231-924-0641
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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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 Newaygo 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 Newaygo County, Michigan?

    Newaygo County has a County Distress Index score of 43.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,963rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newaygo County?

    The primary driver of distress in Newaygo County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 58.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Newaygo County compare to neighboring counties?

    Newaygo County (43.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Lake County, MI (58.9); Muskegon County, MI (57.9); Osceola County, MI (54.4).

  • 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). Newaygo County's score of 43.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Newaygo 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 Newaygo County?

    Newaygo County, Michigan has a population of approximately 51,108 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.