Ontonagon County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 5,906 people · 64th most distressed in Michigan
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Ontonagon County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2425th 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 64th of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ontonagon County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 81.8 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 81.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 87
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Structural Poverty 81.4
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Legal Distress 46.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Housing Cost Burden 22.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 34
Homeownership Rate 5
Consumer Credit Distress 18.6
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ontonagon County
Ontonagon County, MI 35.9 Normal —
Gogebic County, MI 49.0 Normal +13.2
Iron County, MI 47.6 Normal +11.7
Ashland County, WI 39.4 Normal +3.5
Houghton County, MI 37.5 Normal +1.6
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal -0.0
Cook County, MN 24.5 Healthy -11.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ontonagon County
Lewis County, ID 35.9 Normal +0.0
Valley County, MT 35.9 Normal +0.0
Keweenaw County, MI 35.8 Normal -0.0
Decatur County, KS 35.9 Normal +0.1
Granite County, MT 35.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County, Michigan?

    Ontonagon County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,425th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ontonagon County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ontonagon County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 81.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Ontonagon County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ontonagon County (35.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Gogebic County, MI (49.0); Iron County, MI (47.6); Ashland County, WI (39.4).

  • 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). Ontonagon County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ontonagon 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 Ontonagon County?

    Ontonagon County, Michigan has a population of approximately 5,906 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.