Camden County, New Jersey

County Distress Index: Serious · 67.3 | 527,196 people · 4th most distressed in New Jersey
American Default Research

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Camden County, NJ shows significant household financial distress with a score of 67.2 — 531st 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 New Jersey, it ranks 4th of 21 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. Camden County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 91.6 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 91.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 90
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 95
Homeownership Rate 84
Legal Distress 77.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 78
Economic Vitality 68.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 84
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 20
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Consumer Credit Distress 58.2
Debt in Collections 54
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 63
Credit Card Delinquency 76
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 68
Structural Poverty 52.7
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 84
Child Poverty Rate 45
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Camden County
Camden County, NJ 67.3 Serious —
Philadelphia County, PA 73.5 Serious +6.3
Atlantic County, NJ 66.9 Serious -0.4
Gloucester County, NJ 53.0 Elevated -14.3
Burlington County, NJ 49.4 Normal -17.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Camden County
Lake County, IN 67.2 Serious -0.0
Milwaukee County, WI 67.6 Serious +0.3
Atlantic County, NJ 66.9 Serious -0.4
Merced County, CA 67.7 Serious +0.4
Lucas County, OH 66.8 Serious -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Camden County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Camden County.

CCCS OF DELAWARE VALLEY, INC. DBA CLARIFI
CHERRY HILL
800-989-2227 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseRental Help
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF CAMDEN, INC
CAMDEN
856-541-0720 Website
Financial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/RehabPost-Purchase
PARKSIDE BUSINESS AND COMMUNITY IN PARTNERSHIP, INC.
CAMDEN
856-964-0440-15 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
ST. JOSEPH'S CARPENTER SOCIETY
Camden
856-966-8117 Website
Financial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in New Jersey →

Find an Attorney

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

New Jersey State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-792-8315

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Camden County residents at no cost.

Legal Services of New Jersey 1-888-576-5529
Community Health Law Project
New Jersey State Bar Foundation — Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-792-8315
Central Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (732) 249-7600
Essex-Newark Legal Services Project, Inc. (973) 624-4500
Legal Services of Northwest Jersey, Inc. (908) 231-0840
Northeast New Jersey Legal Services Corporation (201) 792-6363
South Jersey Legal Services, Inc. (800) 496-4570

Self-Help Resources

NJ Courts Foreclosure Self-Help Center Official NJ Courts self-help guidance on foreclosure proceedings

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 New Jersey →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Camden County, New Jersey?

    Camden County has a County Distress Index score of 67.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 531st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in New Jersey out of 21 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Camden County?

    The primary driver of distress in Camden County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 91.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Camden County compare to neighboring counties?

    Camden County (67.3) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Philadelphia County, PA (73.5); Atlantic County, NJ (66.9); Gloucester County, NJ (53.0).

  • 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 Serious 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). Camden County's score of 67.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Camden 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 Camden County?

    Camden County, New Jersey has a population of approximately 527,196 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.