Stark County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Elevated · 52.8 | 372,716 people · 43rd most distressed in Ohio
American Default Research

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Stark County, OH registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 52.8 — 1417th 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 43rd of 88 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stark County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 90.1 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 90.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 90
Housing Cost Burden 58.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 53
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 48
Homeownership Rate 76
Consumer Credit Distress 49.7
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 60
Auto Loan Delinquency 45
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 26
Subprime Credit Population 51
Structural Poverty 46.6
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Economic Vitality 35.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 13
House Price Change (YoY) 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stark County
Stark County, OH 52.8 Elevated —
Mahoning County, OH 65.8 Serious +13.0
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated +7.0
Summit County, OH 56.9 Elevated +4.1
Portage County, OH 54.2 Elevated +1.4
Tuscarawas County, OH 51.1 Elevated -1.7
Carroll County, OH 42.5 Normal -10.3
Wayne County, OH 34.9 Healthy -17.9
Holmes County, OH 19.5 Healthy -33.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stark County
Baldwin County, AL 52.8 Elevated +0.1
Arapahoe County, CO 52.7 Elevated -0.1
Gloucester County, NJ 53.0 Elevated +0.2
Northampton County, PA 53.0 Elevated +0.3
Monterey County, CA 53.1 Elevated +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stark County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Stark County.

APPRISEN - CANTON
CANTON
800-355-2227 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseRental Help
COMMUNITY BUILDING PARTNERSHIP OF STARK COUNTY, INC.
Canton
330-458-0962 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-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 Stark 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 Stark County, Ohio?

    Stark County has a County Distress Index score of 52.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,417th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 43rd in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stark County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stark County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 90.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Stark County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stark County (52.8) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Mahoning County, OH (65.8); Columbiana County, OH (59.7); Summit County, OH (56.9).

  • 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 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). Stark County's score of 52.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Stark 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 Stark County?

    Stark County, Ohio has a population of approximately 372,716 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.