Union County, Ohio

County Distress Index: Healthy · 25.5 | 69,637 people · 84th most distressed in Ohio
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Union County, OH ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 25.5 — 2947th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Ohio, it ranks 84th of 88 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 59.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 59.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 60
Economic Vitality 28.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 8
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 53
Housing Cost Burden 27.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 86
Homeownership Rate 22
Consumer Credit Distress 24.2
Debt in Collections 17
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 19
Structural Poverty 6.0
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 3
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 7
Transfer Income Dependency 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, OH 25.5 Healthy —
Marion County, OH 68.2 Serious +42.8
Franklin County, OH 62.4 Elevated +36.9
Hardin County, OH 54.9 Elevated +29.4
Champaign County, OH 47.6 Normal +22.2
Madison County, OH 46.9 Normal +21.4
Logan County, OH 45.2 Normal +19.7
Delaware County, OH 21.0 Healthy -4.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Manitowoc County, WI 25.6 Healthy +0.1
Washington County, WI 25.4 Healthy -0.1
Outagamie County, WI 25.2 Healthy -0.3
Hunterdon County, NJ 26.3 Healthy +0.8
Sheboygan County, WI 26.3 Healthy +0.8

Download Data

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

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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 Union County, Ohio?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 25.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,947th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 84th in Ohio out of 88 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 59.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (25.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Marion County, OH (68.2); Franklin County, OH (62.4); Hardin County, OH (54.9).

  • 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 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). Union County's score of 25.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, Ohio has a population of approximately 69,637 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.