Sanilac County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.5 | 40,368 people · 50th most distressed in Michigan
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Sanilac County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.5 — 2040th 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 50th of 83 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

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

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.3
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 63
Child Poverty Rate 61
Disability Rate 62
Transfer Income Dependency 82
Legal Distress 51.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Economic Vitality 47.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 43
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Consumer Credit Distress 38.6
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 36
Housing Cost Burden 30.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 52
Homeownership Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sanilac County
Sanilac County, MI 42.5 Normal —
St. Clair County, MI 54.5 Elevated +12.1
Lapeer County, MI 48.8 Normal +6.3
Tuscola County, MI 45.8 Normal +3.3
Huron County, MI 33.0 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sanilac County
Tillamook County, OR 42.5 Normal 0.0
Carroll County, OH 42.5 Normal -0.0
Avery County, NC 42.5 Normal +0.1
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +0.1
King George County, VA 42.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sanilac 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 Sanilac 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 Sanilac County, Michigan?

    Sanilac County has a County Distress Index score of 42.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,040th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 50th in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sanilac County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sanilac County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Sanilac County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sanilac County (42.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: St. Clair County, MI (54.5); Lapeer County, MI (48.8); Tuscola County, MI (45.8).

  • 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). Sanilac County's score of 42.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Sanilac 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 Sanilac County?

    Sanilac County, Michigan has a population of approximately 40,368 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.