Van Buren County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.0 | 75,798 people · 31st most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Van Buren County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.0 — 1643rd 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 31st of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Van Buren County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 66
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 17
Structural Poverty 47.8
Unemployment Rate 87
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 19
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Consumer Credit Distress 47.4
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 71
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 43
Legal Distress 44.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44
Economic Vitality 39.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 23
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 49

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
Van Buren County, MI 49.0 Normal —
Kalamazoo County, MI 52.2 Elevated +3.2
Berrien County, MI 50.9 Elevated +1.9
St. Joseph County, MI 47.4 Normal -1.6
Cass County, MI 46.3 Normal -2.7
Lake County, IL 36.1 Normal -12.9
Allegan County, MI 32.0 Healthy -17.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
Nassau County, FL 49.0 Normal +0.0
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal +0.1
Saline County, KS 49.0 Normal -0.1
Laramie County, WY 49.0 Normal -0.1
Ulster County, NY 48.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Van Buren County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, Michigan?

    Van Buren County has a County Distress Index score of 49.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,643rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Van Buren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Van Buren County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Van Buren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Van Buren County (49.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Kalamazoo County, MI (52.2); Berrien County, MI (50.9); St. Joseph County, MI (47.4).

  • 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). Van Buren County's score of 49.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

  • What data sources power Van Buren County's CDI score?

    Van Buren 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 Van Buren County?

    Van Buren County, Michigan has a population of approximately 75,798 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.