Mercer County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Healthy · 24.0 | 42,439 people · 85th most distressed in Ohio
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Mercer County, OH ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 24.0 — 2992nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages keep pace with costs, business formation is healthy, and the local economy shows resilience. Within Ohio, it ranks 85th of 88 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mercer County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 35.9 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 35.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 35
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Legal Distress 28.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28
Consumer Credit Distress 25.1
Debt in Collections 21
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 9
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 15
Housing Cost Burden 24.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 21
Structural Poverty 9.9
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Mercer County, OH 24.0 Healthy —
Jay County, IN 51.4 Elevated +27.4
Van Wert County, OH 44.1 Normal +20.1
Shelby County, OH 42.2 Normal +18.2
Darke County, OH 38.3 Normal +14.3
Adams County, IN 34.8 Healthy +10.8
Auglaize County, OH 33.0 Healthy +9.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Iowa County, IA 24.1 Healthy +0.1
Dickinson County, IA 23.9 Healthy -0.1
Hancock County, IA 24.2 Healthy +0.2
Yankton County, SD 23.9 Healthy -0.2
Buchanan County, IA 23.8 Healthy -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mercer 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 Mercer 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 Mercer County, Ohio?

    Mercer County has a County Distress Index score of 24.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,992nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mercer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mercer County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 35.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Mercer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mercer County (24.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Jay County, IN (51.4); Van Wert County, OH (44.1); Shelby County, OH (42.2).

  • 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 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). Mercer County's score of 24.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Mercer 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 Mercer County?

    Mercer County, Ohio has a population of approximately 42,439 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.