Ashland County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.0 | 52,190 people · 61st most distressed in Ohio
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Ashland County, OH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.0 — 1897th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Ohio, it ranks 61st of 88 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. Ashland County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 57.2 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 57.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 24
Legal Distress 56.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Structural Poverty 48.9
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 56
Disability Rate 38
Transfer Income Dependency 44
Consumer Credit Distress 37.9
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 55
Subprime Credit Population 28
Economic Vitality 36.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 64
House Price Change (YoY) 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Ashland County
Ashland County, OH 45.0 Normal —
Richland County, OH 58.3 Elevated +13.3
Huron County, OH 55.3 Elevated +10.3
Lorain County, OH 54.9 Elevated +9.9
Knox County, OH 42.4 Normal -2.6
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy -10.1
Medina County, OH 30.7 Healthy -14.3
Holmes County, OH 19.5 Healthy -25.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Ashland County
Washington County, VA 45.0 Normal +0.0
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal +0.1
Grundy County, IL 45.1 Normal +0.1
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal +0.1
Adams County, IL 44.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Ashland County

Find an Attorney

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

Ohio State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-282-6556

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Ashland County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Society of Cleveland 216-687-1900
Columbus Legal Aid Society 614-224-8374
Community Legal Aid (Akron/Canton) 330-535-4191
Ohio Legal Help
Ohio State Bar Association Lawyer Referral 1-800-282-6556
Community Legal Aid Services, Inc. (800) 998-9454
Legal Aid Society of Greater Cincinnati (513) 241-9400
Legal Aid of Southeast and Central Ohio (614) 221-7201
Legal Aid of Western Ohio, Inc. (888) 534-1432
The Legal Aid Society of Cleveland (216) 687-1900

Self-Help Resources

Ohio Legal Help — Foreclosure Self-help guides for Ohio foreclosure process and defenses
OHFA Homeowner Resources Assistance programs and housing counselor referrals

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 Ohio →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Ashland County, Ohio?

    Ashland County has a County Distress Index score of 45.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,897th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Ashland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Ashland County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 57.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Ashland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Ashland County (45.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Richland County, OH (58.3); Huron County, OH (55.3); Lorain County, OH (54.9).

  • 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). Ashland County's score of 45.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Ashland 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 Ashland County?

    Ashland County, Ohio has a population of approximately 52,190 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.