Highland County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.5 | 43,614 people · 35th most distressed in Ohio
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Highland County, OH registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.5 — 1239th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Ohio, it ranks 35th of 88 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Highland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 63.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 63.0
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Consumer Credit Distress 60.2
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 75
Auto Loan Delinquency 54
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 57
Subprime Credit Population 62
Legal Distress 60.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 60
Economic Vitality 51.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 26
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Highland County
Highland County, OH 55.5 Elevated —
Ross County, OH 71.3 Serious +15.8
Pike County, OH 68.7 Serious +13.2
Adams County, OH 67.9 Serious +12.4
Brown County, OH 61.0 Elevated +5.5
Fayette County, OH 61.0 Elevated +5.5
Clinton County, OH 52.0 Elevated -3.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Highland County
Hancock County, MS 55.5 Elevated 0.0
Laclede County, MO 55.5 Elevated 0.0
Switzerland County, IN 55.5 Elevated -0.0
Logan County, AR 55.5 Elevated -0.0
Harrison County, OH 55.6 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Highland 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 Highland 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 Highland County, Ohio?

    Highland County has a County Distress Index score of 55.5 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,239th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Highland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Highland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 63.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Highland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Highland County (55.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ross County, OH (71.3); Pike County, OH (68.7); Adams County, OH (67.9).

  • 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). Highland County's score of 55.5 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Highland 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 Highland County?

    Highland County, Ohio has a population of approximately 43,614 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.