Armstrong County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.0 | 64,074 people · 49th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Armstrong County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.0 — 2313th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 49th of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Armstrong County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 52.2 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 52.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Structural Poverty 51.6
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 60
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Economic Vitality 43.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 94
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Housing Cost Burden 34.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 26
Consumer Credit Distress 32.6
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 26
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Armstrong County
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal —
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal +9.6
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal +7.5
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal +5.3
Allegheny County, PA 41.6 Normal +3.6
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal +0.1
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Armstrong County
Orange County, NC 37.9 Normal -0.1
Linn County, IA 38.1 Normal +0.1
York County, VA 38.2 Normal +0.2
Hancock County, IN 37.8 Normal -0.2
Christian County, MO 38.2 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Armstrong 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 Armstrong 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 Armstrong County, Pennsylvania?

    Armstrong County has a County Distress Index score of 38.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,313th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Armstrong County?

    The primary driver of distress in Armstrong County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 52.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Armstrong County compare to neighboring counties?

    Armstrong County (38.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Indiana County, PA (47.6); Jefferson County, PA (45.5); Clarion County, PA (43.3).

  • 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). Armstrong County's score of 38.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Armstrong 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 Armstrong County?

    Armstrong County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 64,074 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.