Washtenaw County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.9 | 365,536 people · 51st most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Washtenaw County, MI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.9 — 2077th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Michigan, it ranks 51st of 83 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washtenaw County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 92.9 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 92.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 94
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 96
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 79
Homeownership Rate 91
Economic Vitality 57.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Legal Distress 56.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 56
Structural Poverty 22.3
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 6
Transfer Income Dependency 4
Consumer Credit Distress 18.3
Debt in Collections 14
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 32
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washtenaw County
Washtenaw County, MI 41.9 Normal —
Wayne County, MI 76.2 Serious +34.3
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +16.6
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated +9.9
Monroe County, MI 48.7 Normal +6.8
Oakland County, MI 38.1 Normal -3.8
Livingston County, MI 26.6 Healthy -15.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washtenaw County
Capitol Planning Region, CT 41.9 Normal +0.0
Honolulu County, HI 42.0 Normal +0.1
Hillsborough County, NH 41.6 Normal -0.2
Western Connecticut Planning Region, CT 41.3 Normal -0.5
Bergen County, NJ 41.3 Normal -0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washtenaw County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washtenaw County.

MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION SERVICE-WASHTENAW
Ann Arbor
734-997-1678 Website
Financial CounselingHomebuyer Education

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 Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County, Michigan?

    Washtenaw County has a County Distress Index score of 41.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,077th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washtenaw County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washtenaw County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 92.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Washtenaw County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washtenaw County (41.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Wayne County, MI (76.2); Jackson County, MI (58.5); Lenawee County, MI (51.8).

  • 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). Washtenaw County's score of 41.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Washtenaw 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 Washtenaw County?

    Washtenaw County, Michigan has a population of approximately 365,536 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.