Fulton County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.0 | 42,007 people · 78th most distressed in Ohio
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Fulton County, OH ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.0 — 2527th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Ohio, it ranks 78th of 88 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fulton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 62.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 62.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 62
Economic Vitality 37.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 21
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Structural Poverty 33.6
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 7
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 15
Disability Rate 39
Transfer Income Dependency 34
Consumer Credit Distress 31.5
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 32
Housing Cost Burden 28.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Fulton County, OH 34.0 Healthy —
Lucas County, OH 66.8 Serious +32.8
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated +17.8
Williams County, OH 49.5 Normal +15.5
Hillsdale County, MI 48.3 Normal +14.3
Henry County, OH 32.5 Healthy -1.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Knox County, ME 34.0 Healthy 0.0
Ravalli County, MT 34.0 Healthy -0.0
Carbon County, WY 34.0 Healthy +0.0
Converse County, WY 34.1 Healthy +0.1
Blanco County, TX 33.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fulton County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Fulton County.

OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - FULTON COUNTY
WAUSEON
419-337-9210 Website
Financial CounselingPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Ohio →

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 Fulton 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 Fulton County, Ohio?

    Fulton County has a County Distress Index score of 34.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,527th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 78th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fulton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fulton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 62.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Fulton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fulton County (34.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Lucas County, OH (66.8); Lenawee County, MI (51.8); Williams County, OH (49.5).

  • 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). Fulton County's score of 34.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Fulton 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 Fulton County?

    Fulton County, Ohio has a population of approximately 42,007 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.