Cambria County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.8 | 130,668 people · 21st most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Cambria County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.8 — 1660th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 21st of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cambria County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 68.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 68.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 47
Income vs. State Median 78
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 69
Transfer Income Dependency 84
Legal Distress 58.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Economic Vitality 58.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 50
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 29
Housing Cost Burden 53.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 67
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 43
Consumer Credit Distress 37.5
Debt in Collections 45
Medical Debt 32
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 49
Uninsured Rate 5
Subprime Credit Population 38

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cambria County
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal —
Blair County, PA 50.2 Elevated +1.4
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal -1.1
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal -5.4
Bedford County, PA 40.7 Normal -8.1
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal -10.7
Somerset County, PA 35.9 Normal -12.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cambria County
Niagara County, NY 48.8 Normal +0.0
Lapeer County, MI 48.8 Normal +0.0
Bartholomew County, IN 48.9 Normal +0.1
Columbia County, OR 48.7 Normal -0.1
Monroe County, MI 48.7 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cambria 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 Cambria 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 Cambria County, Pennsylvania?

    Cambria County has a County Distress Index score of 48.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,660th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cambria County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cambria County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 68.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cambria County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cambria County (48.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Blair County, PA (50.2); Indiana County, PA (47.6); Clearfield County, PA (43.4).

  • 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). Cambria County's score of 48.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cambria 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 Cambria County?

    Cambria County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 130,668 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.