Sandusky County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.7 | 58,709 people · 59th most distressed in Ohio
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Sandusky County, OH falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.7 — 1801st 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 59th of 88 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sandusky County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 73.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 73.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Housing Cost Burden 49.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 51
Structural Poverty 49.0
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 23
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Consumer Credit Distress 42.1
Debt in Collections 50
Medical Debt 69
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 43
Economic Vitality 37.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 78

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sandusky County
Sandusky County, OH 46.7 Normal —
Huron County, OH 55.3 Elevated +8.6
Erie County, OH 52.5 Elevated +5.9
Seneca County, OH 51.6 Elevated +4.9
Wood County, OH 41.0 Normal -5.7
Ottawa County, OH 35.8 Normal -10.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sandusky County
Johnson County, IN 46.7 Normal 0.0
Yellowstone County, MT 46.7 Normal -0.0
Brunswick County, NC 46.7 Normal +0.0
Shelby County, AL 46.6 Normal -0.1
Beaver County, PA 46.5 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sandusky County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sandusky County.

Great Lakes Community Action Partnership (formerly WSOS Community Action Commision, Inc.)
Fremont
800-775-9767 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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 Sandusky 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 Sandusky County, Ohio?

    Sandusky County has a County Distress Index score of 46.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,801st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sandusky County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sandusky County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sandusky County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sandusky County (46.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Huron County, OH (55.3); Erie County, OH (52.5); Seneca County, OH (51.6).

  • 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). Sandusky County's score of 46.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Sandusky 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 Sandusky County?

    Sandusky County, Ohio has a population of approximately 58,709 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.