Clarion County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.3 | 36,970 people · 39th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Clarion County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.3 — 1998th 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 39th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clarion County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 60.6 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 60.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 65
Structural Poverty 60.0
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 73
Child Poverty Rate 47
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 72
Economic Vitality 51.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 49
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 84
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Consumer Credit Distress 31.1
Debt in Collections 28
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 35
Legal Distress 29.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clarion County
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal —
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal +2.2
Venango County, PA 44.9 Normal +1.6
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal -5.3
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy -12.1
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -14.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clarion County
Yates County, NY 43.3 Normal +0.0
Pulaski County, IN 43.3 Normal -0.0
Iosco County, MI 43.2 Normal -0.0
Elmore County, ID 43.4 Normal +0.1
Perry County, IN 43.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clarion 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 Clarion 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Clarion County has a County Distress Index score of 43.3 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,998th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 39th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clarion County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clarion County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 60.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Clarion County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clarion County (43.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, PA (45.5); Venango County, PA (44.9); Armstrong County, PA (38.0).

  • 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). Clarion County's score of 43.3 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Clarion 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 Clarion County?

    Clarion County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 36,970 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.