Seneca County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.6 | 54,527 people · 47th most distressed in Ohio
American Default Research

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Seneca County, OH registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.6 — 1475th 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 47th of 88 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Seneca County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 74.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 74.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Structural Poverty 55.7
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 59
Child Poverty Rate 46
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Consumer Credit Distress 52.2
Debt in Collections 54
Medical Debt 80
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 39
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 50
Economic Vitality 50.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 47
Rent-to-Income Ratio 30
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 55

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Seneca County
Seneca County, OH 51.6 Elevated —
Crawford County, OH 55.9 Elevated +4.3
Huron County, OH 55.3 Elevated +3.7
Sandusky County, OH 46.7 Normal -4.9
Hancock County, OH 44.7 Normal -6.9
Wood County, OH 41.0 Normal -10.6
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy -16.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Seneca County
Jefferson County, NY 51.6 Elevated -0.0
Chautauqua County, NY 51.6 Elevated -0.0
Woodbury County, IA 51.5 Elevated -0.1
Cattaraugus County, NY 51.5 Elevated -0.1
Ascension Parish, LA 51.7 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Seneca 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 Seneca 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 Seneca County, Ohio?

    Seneca County has a County Distress Index score of 51.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,475th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Seneca County?

    The primary driver of distress in Seneca County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 74.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Seneca County compare to neighboring counties?

    Seneca County (51.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Crawford County, OH (55.9); Huron County, OH (55.3); Sandusky County, OH (46.7).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Seneca County's score of 51.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Seneca 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 Seneca County?

    Seneca County, Ohio has a population of approximately 54,527 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.