Otsego County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.2 | 25,747 people · 29th most distressed in Michigan
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Otsego County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.2 — 1629th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Michigan, it ranks 29th of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Otsego County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 62.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 62.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 46
Homeownership Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 46.4
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 68
Credit Card Delinquency 68
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 38
Economic Vitality 46.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 29
Business Formation Rate 49
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Structural Poverty 45.4
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 57
Legal Distress 38.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Otsego County
Otsego County, MI 49.2 Normal —
Oscoda County, MI 57.0 Elevated +7.8
Montmorency County, MI 56.8 Elevated +7.6
Kalkaska County, MI 54.0 Elevated +4.8
Crawford County, MI 50.0 Elevated +0.9
Cheboygan County, MI 41.7 Normal -7.5
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy -18.6
Charlevoix County, MI 29.5 Healthy -19.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Otsego County
Decatur County, TN 49.1 Normal -0.0
Brown County, IN 49.1 Normal -0.0
Piscataquis County, ME 49.1 Normal -0.0
Ford County, KS 49.2 Normal +0.0
Franklin County, TX 49.1 Normal -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Otsego 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 Otsego 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 Otsego County, Michigan?

    Otsego County has a County Distress Index score of 49.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,629th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Otsego County?

    The primary driver of distress in Otsego County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 62.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Otsego County compare to neighboring counties?

    Otsego County (49.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Oscoda County, MI (57.0); Montmorency County, MI (56.8); Kalkaska County, MI (54.0).

  • 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). Otsego County's score of 49.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Otsego 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 Otsego County?

    Otsego County, Michigan has a population of approximately 25,747 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.