Wexford County, Michigan

County Distress Index: Elevated · 52.2 | 34,122 people · 21st most distressed in Michigan
American Default Research

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Wexford County, MI registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 52.2 — 1443rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Michigan, it ranks 21st of 83 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wexford County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 65.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 65.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Structural Poverty 64.8
Unemployment Rate 85
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 53
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Housing Cost Burden 61.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 66
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 81
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 47.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Consumer Credit Distress 43.1
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 47

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wexford County
Wexford County, MI 52.2 Elevated —
Lake County, MI 58.9 Elevated +6.7
Osceola County, MI 54.4 Elevated +2.3
Kalkaska County, MI 54.0 Elevated +1.8
Manistee County, MI 46.9 Normal -5.3
Missaukee County, MI 46.3 Normal -5.9
Grand Traverse County, MI 34.6 Healthy -17.6
Benzie County, MI 32.3 Healthy -19.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wexford County
Roscommon County, MI 52.2 Elevated +0.0
Clay County, NC 52.1 Elevated -0.0
Todd County, KY 52.2 Elevated +0.0
Leon County, TX 52.1 Elevated -0.0
Fremont County, WY 52.2 Elevated +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wexford County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Wexford County.

NORTHWEST MICHIGAN COMMUNTY ACTION AGENCY , INC
CADILLAC
231-947-3780 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 Wexford 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 Wexford County, Michigan?

    Wexford County has a County Distress Index score of 52.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,443rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Michigan out of 83 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wexford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wexford County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 65.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Wexford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wexford County (52.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lake County, MI (58.9); Osceola County, MI (54.4); 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 Elevated 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). Wexford County's score of 52.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Wexford 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 Wexford County?

    Wexford County, Michigan has a population of approximately 34,122 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.