Ogemaw County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.9 | 20,990 people · 13th most distressed in Michigan
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Ogemaw County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.9 — 1278th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Michigan, it ranks 13th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ogemaw County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 84.6 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 84.6
Unemployment Rate 99
Poverty Rate 66
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 86
Transfer Income Dependency 96
Housing Cost Burden 74.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 88
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 92
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 9
Economic Vitality 67.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 70
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 13
Legal Distress 51.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Consumer Credit Distress 35.1
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 20
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ogemaw County
Ogemaw County, MI 54.9 Elevated —
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated +2.1
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated -2.7
Arenac County, MI 51.6 Elevated -3.3
Crawford County, MI 50.0 Elevated -4.9
Gladwin County, MI 46.0 Normal -8.9
Iosco County, MI 43.2 Normal -11.7
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy -20.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ogemaw County
Lawrence County, AL 54.9 Elevated -0.0
Grant County, NM 54.9 Elevated -0.0
Hardin County, OH 54.9 Elevated +0.0
Lee County, TX 54.9 Elevated -0.0
Ohio County, WV 54.9 Elevated +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw County, Michigan?

    Ogemaw County has a County Distress Index score of 54.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,278th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ogemaw County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ogemaw County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 84.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Ogemaw County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ogemaw County (54.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Oscoda County, MI (57.0); Roscommon County, MI (52.2); Arenac County, MI (51.6).

  • 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). Ogemaw County's score of 54.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Ogemaw 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 Ogemaw County?

    Ogemaw County, Michigan has a population of approximately 20,990 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.