Carroll County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.5 | 26,758 people · 66th most distressed in Ohio
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Carroll County, OH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.5 — 2045th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Ohio, it ranks 66th of 88 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Carroll County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 63.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 63.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Economic Vitality 56.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Structural Poverty 51.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 43
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Consumer Credit Distress 41.0
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 41
Housing Cost Burden 27.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, OH 42.5 Normal —
Jefferson County, OH 63.7 Elevated +21.2
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated +17.3
Harrison County, OH 55.6 Elevated +13.1
Stark County, OH 52.8 Elevated +10.3
Tuscarawas County, OH 51.1 Elevated +8.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
King George County, VA 42.4 Normal -0.0
Sanilac County, MI 42.5 Normal +0.0
Tillamook County, OR 42.5 Normal +0.0
Avery County, NC 42.5 Normal +0.1
Rusk County, WI 42.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County, Ohio?

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 42.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,045th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 63.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (42.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, OH (63.7); Columbiana County, OH (59.7); Harrison County, OH (55.6).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 42.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Ohio has a population of approximately 26,758 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.