Knox County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Normal · 42.4 | 63,320 people · 67th most distressed in Ohio
American Default Research

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Knox County, OH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 42.4 — 2048th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Ohio, it ranks 67th of 88 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Knox County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 66
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 46
Legal Distress 45.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Economic Vitality 41.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 32
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Structural Poverty 38.5
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 44
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 41
Consumer Credit Distress 35.6
Debt in Collections 33
Medical Debt 35
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Knox County, OH 42.4 Normal —
Coshocton County, OH 58.4 Elevated +16.1
Richland County, OH 58.3 Elevated +15.9
Morrow County, OH 48.7 Normal +6.4
Licking County, OH 47.7 Normal +5.4
Ashland County, OH 45.0 Normal +2.6
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy -21.4
Holmes County, OH 19.5 Healthy -22.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Knox County
Hancock County, ME 42.4 Normal 0.0
Benton County, WA 42.3 Normal -0.1
Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT 42.5 Normal +0.1
Butler County, KS 42.3 Normal -0.1
Montgomery County, VA 42.3 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Knox 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 Knox 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 Knox County, Ohio?

    Knox County has a County Distress Index score of 42.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,048th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 67th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Knox County?

    The primary driver of distress in Knox County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Knox County compare to neighboring counties?

    Knox County (42.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Coshocton County, OH (58.4); Richland County, OH (58.3); 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 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). Knox County's score of 42.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Knox 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 Knox County?

    Knox County, Ohio has a population of approximately 63,320 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.