Osceola County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.4 | 23,330 people · 15th most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Osceola County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.4 — 1316th 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 15th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Osceola County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 74.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 74.2
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 72
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 68
Disability Rate 77
Transfer Income Dependency 72
Consumer Credit Distress 59.1
Debt in Collections 59
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 77
Credit Card Delinquency 67
Uninsured Rate 58
Subprime Credit Population 51
Housing Cost Burden 45.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 66
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 6
Legal Distress 39.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Economic Vitality 34.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 52
Business Formation Rate 70
House Price Change (YoY) 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Osceola County
Osceola County, MI 54.4 Elevated —
Clare County, MI 60.0 Elevated +5.6
Isabella County, MI 59.8 Elevated +5.4
Lake County, MI 58.9 Elevated +4.5
Mecosta County, MI 54.3 Elevated -0.1
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated -2.3
Missaukee County, MI 46.3 Normal -8.1
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Osceola County
Banks County, GA 54.4 Elevated 0.0
La Paz County, AZ 54.5 Elevated +0.0
Monroe County, KY 54.5 Elevated +0.0
Sabine County, TX 54.5 Elevated +0.0
Fulton County, IN 54.4 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Osceola 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 Osceola 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 →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Osceola County has a County Distress Index score of 54.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,316th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Osceola County?

    The primary driver of distress in Osceola County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 74.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Osceola County compare to neighboring counties?

    Osceola County (54.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clare County, MI (60.0); Isabella County, MI (59.8); Lake County, MI (58.9).

  • 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). Osceola County's score of 54.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Osceola 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 Osceola County?

    Osceola County, Michigan has a population of approximately 23,330 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.