Ottawa County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Healthy · 32.8 | 303,372 people · 72nd most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Ottawa County, MI ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 32.8 — 2592nd 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 72nd of 83 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Ottawa County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 68.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 68.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 60
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Housing Cost Burden 64.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 26
Legal Distress 24.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Consumer Credit Distress 17.7
Debt in Collections 11
Medical Debt 36
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 10
Structural Poverty 13.9
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 4
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ottawa County
Ottawa County, MI 32.8 Healthy —
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious +34.7
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated +25.1
Racine County, WI 49.6 Normal +16.8
Kent County, MI 43.5 Normal +10.6
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy -0.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ottawa County
Marin County, CA 33.0 Healthy +0.2
Cumberland County, ME 32.6 Healthy -0.2
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy +0.3
Montgomery County, PA 32.5 Healthy -0.3
Davis County, UT 32.2 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ottawa County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Ottawa County.

COMMUNITY ACTION HOUSE
Holland
616-392-2368 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Michigan →

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 Ottawa 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 Ottawa County, Michigan?

    Ottawa County has a County Distress Index score of 32.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,592nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 72nd in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ottawa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ottawa County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 68.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Ottawa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ottawa County (32.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Milwaukee County, WI (67.6); Muskegon County, MI (57.9); Racine County, WI (49.6).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Ottawa County's score of 32.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Ottawa 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 Ottawa County?

    Ottawa County, Michigan has a population of approximately 303,372 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.