Somerset County, New Jersey

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 348,842 people · 19th most distressed in New Jersey
American Default Research

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Somerset County, NJ ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2549th 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 19th of 21 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Somerset County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 79.5 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 79.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 82
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 92
Homeownership Rate 50
Economic Vitality 51.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 52
Business Formation Rate 15
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Legal Distress 40.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 40
Consumer Credit Distress 14.8
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 12
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 12
Structural Poverty 8.9
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 5
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Somerset County, NJ 33.7 Healthy —
Union County, NJ 58.9 Elevated +25.2
Mercer County, NJ 55.4 Elevated +21.7
Middlesex County, NJ 46.0 Normal +12.3
Morris County, NJ 27.4 Healthy -6.2
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy -7.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Boulder County, CO 34.0 Healthy +0.4
Benton County, AR 34.2 Healthy +0.5
Howard County, MD 34.2 Healthy +0.5
Brown County, WI 33.1 Healthy -0.6
Marin County, CA 33.0 Healthy -0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Somerset County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Somerset County.

CENTRAL JERSEY HOUSING RESOURCE CENTER, INC.
Somerville
908-446-0036 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/Displacement

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 Somerset 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 Somerset County, New Jersey?

    Somerset County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,549th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 19th in New Jersey out of 21 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Somerset County?

    The primary driver of distress in Somerset County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 79.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Somerset County compare to neighboring counties?

    Somerset County (33.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Union County, NJ (58.9); Mercer County, NJ (55.4); Middlesex County, NJ (46.0).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Somerset County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Somerset 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 Somerset County?

    Somerset County, New Jersey has a population of approximately 348,842 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.