Butler County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 28.5 | 198,413 people · 65th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Butler County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 28.5 — 2824th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 65th of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Butler County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 54.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 54.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 53
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 39
Economic Vitality 44.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 48
Legal Distress 38.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Structural Poverty 17.7
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 15
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 14
Consumer Credit Distress 15.1
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 18
Credit Card Delinquency 14
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy —
Lawrence County, PA 51.1 Elevated +22.6
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal +20.0
Beaver County, PA 46.5 Normal +18.0
Venango County, PA 44.9 Normal +16.4
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal +14.8
Allegheny County, PA 41.6 Normal +13.1
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal +9.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Butler County
Boone County, IN 28.6 Healthy +0.1
Warren County, IA 28.7 Healthy +0.2
Warrick County, IN 28.2 Healthy -0.3
Clinton County, MI 28.9 Healthy +0.4
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy +0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Butler County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Butler County.

HOUSING AUTHORITY OF THE COUNTY OF BUTLER
Butler
724-287-6797
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFair Housing

See all counselors in Pennsylvania →

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 Butler 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Pennsylvania →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Butler County has a County Distress Index score of 28.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,824th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 65th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Butler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Butler County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 54.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Butler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Butler County (28.5) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lawrence County, PA (51.1); Mercer County, PA (48.5); Beaver County, PA (46.5).

  • 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). Butler County's score of 28.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Butler 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 Butler County?

    Butler County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 198,413 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.