Mahoning County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.8 | 225,596 people · 12th most distressed in Ohio
American Default Research

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Mahoning County, OH shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.8 — 604th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Ohio, it ranks 12th of 88 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mahoning County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 88.4 — worse than roughly 88% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 88.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 88
Structural Poverty 75.9
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 84
Income vs. State Median 90
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 61
Housing Cost Burden 69.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 72
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 69
Consumer Credit Distress 62.9
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 79
Auto Loan Delinquency 65
Credit Card Delinquency 71
Uninsured Rate 15
Subprime Credit Population 59
Economic Vitality 38.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 59
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 22

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mahoning County
Mahoning County, OH 65.8 Serious —
Trumbull County, OH 66.0 Serious +0.2
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated -6.1
Portage County, OH 54.2 Elevated -11.6
Stark County, OH 52.8 Elevated -13.0
Lawrence County, PA 51.1 Elevated -14.7
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal -17.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mahoning County
Harrison County, TX 65.9 Serious +0.0
Howard County, IN 65.8 Serious -0.0
Grant County, IN 65.7 Serious -0.1
Nye County, NV 66.0 Serious +0.2
Trumbull County, OH 66.0 Serious +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mahoning County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Mahoning County.

CATHOLIC CHARITIES REGIONAL AGENCY
Youngstown
330-744-3320 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/Displacement
OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY EXTENSION - MAHONING COUNTY
CANFIELD
330-533-5535 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education
YOUNGSTOWN NEIGHBORHOOD DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Youngstown
330-480-0423 Website
Pre-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 Mahoning 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 Mahoning County, Ohio?

    Mahoning County has a County Distress Index score of 65.8 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 604th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mahoning County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mahoning County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 88.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Mahoning County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mahoning County (65.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Trumbull County, OH (66.0); Columbiana County, OH (59.7); Portage County, OH (54.2).

  • 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 Serious 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). Mahoning County's score of 65.8 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Mahoning 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 Mahoning County?

    Mahoning County, Ohio has a population of approximately 225,596 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.