Clearfield County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.4 | 77,090 people · 38th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Clearfield County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.4 — 1996th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 38th of 67 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Clearfield County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 61.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 61.2
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 64
Income vs. State Median 61
Child Poverty Rate 60
Disability Rate 78
Transfer Income Dependency 50
Housing Cost Burden 49.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 57
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 27
Economic Vitality 41.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 28
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Consumer Credit Distress 38.1
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 49
Uninsured Rate 31
Subprime Credit Population 33
Legal Distress 28.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Clearfield County
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal —
Clinton County, PA 51.3 Elevated +8.0
Blair County, PA 50.2 Elevated +6.8
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal +5.4
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal +4.3
Cameron County, PA 47.6 Normal +4.3
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal +2.1
Centre County, PA 39.4 Normal -4.0
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -13.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Clearfield County
Wayne County, PA 43.4 Normal +0.0
Steuben County, NY 43.4 Normal +0.1
Rutland County, VT 43.3 Normal -0.1
Walla Walla County, WA 43.5 Normal +0.1
Campbell County, VA 43.6 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Clearfield 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 Clearfield 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 Clearfield County, Pennsylvania?

    Clearfield County has a County Distress Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,996th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 38th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Clearfield County?

    The primary driver of distress in Clearfield County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 61.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Clearfield County compare to neighboring counties?

    Clearfield County (43.4) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Clinton County, PA (51.3); Blair County, PA (50.2); Cambria County, PA (48.8).

  • 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). Clearfield County's score of 43.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Clearfield 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 Clearfield County?

    Clearfield County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 77,090 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.