Oscoda County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.0 | 8,545 people · 10th most distressed in Michigan
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Oscoda County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.0 — 1147th 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 10th of 83 counties. It scores higher than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oscoda County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 89.5 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 89.5
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 81
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Legal Distress 74.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Economic Vitality 66.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 76
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 57.8
Debt in Collections 61
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 84
Uninsured Rate 82
Subprime Credit Population 28
Housing Cost Burden 25.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 16
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 77
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oscoda County
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated —
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated -0.2
Ogemaw County, MI 54.9 Elevated -2.1
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated -4.8
Crawford County, MI 50.0 Elevated -6.9
Otsego County, MI 49.2 Normal -7.8
Iosco County, MI 43.2 Normal -13.7
Alpena County, MI 37.4 Normal -19.6
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy -22.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oscoda County
Sedgwick County, CO 57.0 Elevated 0.0
Tyrrell County, NC 57.1 Elevated +0.1
Pulaski County, IL 56.8 Elevated -0.2
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated -0.2
Cumberland County, VA 56.7 Elevated -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oscoda 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 Oscoda 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 Oscoda County, Michigan?

    Oscoda County has a County Distress Index score of 57.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,147th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 10th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oscoda County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oscoda County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 89.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Oscoda County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oscoda County (57.0) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Montmorency County, MI (56.8); Ogemaw County, MI (54.9); Roscommon County, MI (52.2).

  • 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 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). Oscoda County's score of 57.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Oscoda 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 Oscoda County?

    Oscoda County, Michigan has a population of approximately 8,545 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.