Belknap County, New Hampshire

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.2 | 65,027 people · 5th most distressed in New Hampshire
American Default Research

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Belknap County, NH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.2 — 2052nd 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 New Hampshire, it ranks 5th of 10 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Belknap County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 71.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 71.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 33
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Housing Cost Burden 67.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 76
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 25
Consumer Credit Distress 31.6
Debt in Collections 27
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 30
Subprime Credit Population 24
Legal Distress 30.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31
Structural Poverty 24.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 17

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Belknap County
Belknap County, NH 42.2 Normal —
Strafford County, NH 45.9 Normal +3.6
Merrimack County, NH 36.2 Normal -6.0
Grafton County, NH 34.0 Healthy -8.2
Carroll County, NH 32.3 Healthy -9.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Belknap County
Sumter County, FL 42.2 Normal -0.0
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal +0.0
Montgomery County, VA 42.3 Normal +0.0
Benton County, WA 42.3 Normal +0.1
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Belknap County

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New Hampshire Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

New Hampshire Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 603-229-0002

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Belknap County residents at no cost.

New Hampshire Legal Assistance 1-800-639-5290
603 Legal Aid 1-800-639-5290

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Belknap County, New Hampshire?

    Belknap County has a County Distress Index score of 42.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,052nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in New Hampshire out of 10 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Belknap County?

    The primary driver of distress in Belknap County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 71.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Belknap County compare to neighboring counties?

    Belknap County (42.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Strafford County, NH (45.9); Merrimack County, NH (36.2); Grafton County, NH (34.0).

  • 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 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). Belknap County's score of 42.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Belknap 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 Belknap County?

    Belknap County, New Hampshire has a population of approximately 65,027 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.