Columbia County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.0 | 65,439 people · 29th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Columbia County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.0 — 1842nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 29th of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Columbia County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 61.3 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 61.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 54
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 23
Legal Distress 57.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 57
Housing Cost Burden 52.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 52
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 40
Homeownership Rate 69
Structural Poverty 45.9
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 49
Consumer Credit Distress 38.1
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 43

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal —
Luzerne County, PA 62.1 Elevated +16.1
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +6.8
Schuylkill County, PA 51.2 Elevated +5.2
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal +0.0
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy -12.9
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy -14.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Columbia County
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal -0.0
Franklin County, WA 46.0 Normal -0.0
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal +0.0
Putnam County, WV 46.0 Normal +0.0
Mesa County, CO 46.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Columbia 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 Columbia 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 Columbia County, Pennsylvania?

    Columbia County has a County Distress Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,842nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Columbia County?

    The primary driver of distress in Columbia County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 61.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Columbia County compare to neighboring counties?

    Columbia County (46.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Luzerne County, PA (62.1); Lycoming County, PA (52.8); Schuylkill County, PA (51.2).

  • 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). Columbia County's score of 46.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Columbia 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 Columbia County?

    Columbia County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 65,439 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.