Monroe County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.3 | 13,153 people · 69th most distressed in Ohio
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Monroe County, OH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.2 — 2110th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Ohio, it ranks 69th of 88 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Monroe County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 77.7 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 77.7
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 85
Economic Vitality 56.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Legal Distress 39.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39
Consumer Credit Distress 34.6
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 42
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 25
Housing Cost Burden 27.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 38
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Monroe County, OH 41.3 Normal —
Belmont County, OH 56.3 Elevated +15.0
Marshall County, WV 52.8 Elevated +11.6
Washington County, OH 47.9 Normal +6.6
Wetzel County, WV 40.5 Normal -0.8
Noble County, OH 39.9 Normal -1.3
Tyler County, WV 37.6 Normal -3.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Monroe County
Beadle County, SD 41.2 Normal -0.0
Uintah County, UT 41.3 Normal +0.0
Goshen County, WY 41.1 Normal -0.1
Essex County, NY 41.4 Normal +0.1
Big Horn County, WY 41.1 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Monroe 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 Monroe 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 Monroe County, Ohio?

    Monroe County has a County Distress Index score of 41.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,110th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Monroe County?

    The primary driver of distress in Monroe County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 77.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Monroe County compare to neighboring counties?

    Monroe County (41.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Belmont County, OH (56.3); Marshall County, WV (52.8); Washington County, OH (47.9).

  • 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 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). Monroe County's score of 41.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Monroe 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 Monroe County?

    Monroe County, Ohio has a population of approximately 13,153 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.