Hardin County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.9 | 30,368 people · 38th most distressed in Ohio
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Hardin County, OH registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.9 — 1277th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Ohio, it ranks 38th of 88 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hardin County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 65.6 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 65.6
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 80
Auto Loan Delinquency 66
Credit Card Delinquency 71
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 53
Structural Poverty 57.7
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 71
Child Poverty Rate 50
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 60
Legal Distress 55.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Economic Vitality 42.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 85
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Housing Cost Burden 35.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hardin County
Hardin County, OH 54.9 Elevated —
Marion County, OH 68.2 Serious +13.3
Allen County, OH 57.3 Elevated +2.4
Logan County, OH 45.2 Normal -9.7
Hancock County, OH 44.7 Normal -10.3
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy -20.3
Auglaize County, OH 33.0 Healthy -21.9
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy -29.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hardin County
Ohio County, WV 54.9 Elevated +0.0
Larue County, KY 55.0 Elevated +0.0
Ogemaw County, MI 54.9 Elevated -0.0
Staunton city, VA 55.0 Elevated +0.0
Lawrence County, AL 54.9 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hardin 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 Hardin 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 Hardin County, Ohio?

    Hardin County has a County Distress Index score of 54.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,277th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hardin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hardin County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 65.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Hardin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hardin County (54.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Marion County, OH (68.2); Allen County, OH (57.3); Logan County, OH (45.2).

  • 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). Hardin County's score of 54.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Hardin 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 Hardin County?

    Hardin County, Ohio has a population of approximately 30,368 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.