Delaware County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Healthy · 21.0 | 231,636 people · 87th most distressed in Ohio
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Delaware County, OH ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 21.0 — 3052nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing remains relatively affordable compared to local incomes. Within Ohio, it ranks 87th of 88 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Delaware County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 44.5 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 44.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 28
Legal Distress 34.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Economic Vitality 23.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 22
Consumer Credit Distress 11.9
Debt in Collections 4
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 5
Uninsured Rate 12
Subprime Credit Population 4
Structural Poverty 5.4
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
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. Delaware County
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy —
Marion County, OH 68.2 Serious +47.3
Franklin County, OH 62.4 Elevated +41.5
Morrow County, OH 48.7 Normal +27.8
Licking County, OH 47.7 Normal +26.8
Knox County, OH 42.4 Normal +21.4
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy +4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Delaware County
Calumet County, WI 20.7 Healthy -0.3
Ozaukee County, WI 21.3 Healthy +0.3
Lincoln County, SD 20.3 Healthy -0.7
Carver County, MN 22.0 Healthy +1.0
Oldham County, KY 19.6 Healthy -1.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Delaware 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 Delaware 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 Delaware County, Ohio?

    Delaware County has a County Distress Index score of 21.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,052nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 87th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Delaware County?

    The primary driver of distress in Delaware County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 44.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Delaware County compare to neighboring counties?

    Delaware County (21.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Marion County, OH (68.2); Franklin County, OH (62.4); Morrow County, OH (48.7).

  • 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). Delaware County's score of 21.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Delaware 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 Delaware County?

    Delaware County, Ohio has a population of approximately 231,636 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.