Athens County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.8 | 62,706 people · 23rd most distressed in Ohio
American Default Research

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Athens County, OH registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.8 — 964th 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 Ohio, it ranks 23rd of 88 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Athens County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 88.7 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 88.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 90
Structural Poverty 74.7
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 96
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 66
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 61
Economic Vitality 66.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 14
Consumer Credit Distress 44.4
Debt in Collections 54
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 41
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 57
Legal Distress 36.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Athens County
Athens County, OH 59.8 Elevated —
Hocking County, OH 60.9 Elevated +1.1
Perry County, OH 58.8 Elevated -1.0
Meigs County, OH 58.8 Elevated -1.1
Vinton County, OH 53.7 Elevated -6.1
Morgan County, OH 51.8 Elevated -8.1
Wood County, WV 51.5 Elevated -8.3
Washington County, OH 47.9 Normal -11.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Athens County
Coffee County, TN 59.8 Elevated 0.0
Vanderburgh County, IN 59.8 Elevated -0.0
Isabella County, MI 59.8 Elevated -0.0
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated -0.1
Lackawanna County, PA 59.7 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Athens 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 Athens 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 Athens County, Ohio?

    Athens County has a County Distress Index score of 59.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 964th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Athens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Athens County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 88.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Athens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Athens County (59.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Hocking County, OH (60.9); Perry County, OH (58.8); Meigs County, OH (58.8).

  • 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). Athens County's score of 59.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Athens 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 Athens County?

    Athens County, Ohio has a population of approximately 62,706 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.