Adams County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 37.5 | 106,748 people · 51st most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Adams County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 37.5 — 2343rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 51st of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Adams County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 71.6 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 71.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 53
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Housing Cost Burden 50.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 93
Homeownership Rate 23
Legal Distress 48.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 26.8
Debt in Collections 24
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 24
Credit Card Delinquency 29
Uninsured Rate 28
Subprime Credit Population 26
Structural Poverty 23.8
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 22
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal —
York County, PA 46.1 Normal +8.6
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal +6.4
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal +1.3
Cumberland County, PA 38.2 Normal +0.7
Carroll County, MD 32.3 Healthy -5.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Adams County
Kauai County, HI 37.5 Normal +0.1
Franklin County, VA 37.5 Normal +0.1
Frederick County, VA 37.4 Normal -0.1
Ward County, ND 37.5 Normal +0.1
Buffalo County, NE 37.3 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Adams County

Find an Attorney

Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Pennsylvania Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-932-0311

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Adams County residents at no cost.

Community Legal Services of Philadelphia 215-981-3700
MidPenn Legal Services 1-800-326-9177
Neighborhood Legal Services Association 412-255-6700
Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN)
Laurel Legal Services, Inc. (800) 253-9558
Legal Aid of Southeastern Pennsylvania (877) 429-5994
North Penn Legal Services, Inc. (877) 953-4250
Northwestern Legal Services (814) 452-6957
Philadelphia Legal Assistance Center (215) 981-3800
Summit Legal Aid (800) 846-0871

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Adams County, Pennsylvania?

    Adams County has a County Distress Index score of 37.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,343rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Adams County?

    The primary driver of distress in Adams County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 71.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Adams County compare to neighboring counties?

    Adams County (37.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: York County, PA (46.1); Franklin County, PA (43.9); Frederick County, MD (38.8).

  • 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). Adams County's score of 37.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Adams 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 Adams County?

    Adams County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 106,748 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.