Crawford County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.1 | 82,001 people · 31st most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Crawford County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.1 — 1893rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 31st 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. Crawford County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 58.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 58.7
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 74
Legal Distress 47.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 47
Housing Cost Burden 45.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 54
Economic Vitality 43.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 32
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Consumer Credit Distress 41.1
Debt in Collections 40
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 49
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 29

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Crawford County
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal —
Ashtabula County, OH 72.3 Serious +27.2
Trumbull County, OH 66.0 Serious +21.0
Erie County, PA 54.8 Elevated +9.8
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal +3.4
Venango County, PA 44.9 Normal -0.2
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal -8.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Crawford County
Grundy County, IL 45.1 Normal 0.0
Aroostook County, ME 45.0 Normal -0.0
Washington County, VA 45.0 Normal -0.1
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal +0.1
Ashland County, OH 45.0 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Crawford County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Crawford County.

CENTER FOR FAMILY SERVICES, INCORPORATED
Meadville
814-337-8450 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHomeless/Displacement

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 Crawford 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 Crawford County, Pennsylvania?

    Crawford County has a County Distress Index score of 45.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,893rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Crawford County?

    The primary driver of distress in Crawford County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 58.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Crawford County compare to neighboring counties?

    Crawford County (45.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Ashtabula County, OH (72.3); Trumbull County, OH (66.0); Erie County, PA (54.8).

  • 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). Crawford County's score of 45.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Crawford 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 Crawford County?

    Crawford County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 82,001 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.