Cumberland County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.2 | 270,738 people · 47th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Cumberland County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.2 — 2303rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 47th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

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

Economic Vitality Primary driver 61.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 68
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 58
House Price Change (YoY) 48
Housing Cost Burden 59.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 56
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 65
Legal Distress 34.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Consumer Credit Distress 31.5
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 21
Structural Poverty 13.2
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 8
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cumberland County
Cumberland County, PA 38.2 Normal —
Dauphin County, PA 57.1 Elevated +19.0
York County, PA 46.1 Normal +7.9
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal +5.8
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal +5.7
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal -0.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cumberland County
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal +0.0
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal -0.1
Jefferson County, CO 37.7 Normal -0.4
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal +0.6
Kitsap County, WA 38.9 Normal +0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cumberland 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 Cumberland 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 Cumberland County, Pennsylvania?

    Cumberland County has a County Distress Index score of 38.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,303rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 47th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cumberland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cumberland County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 61.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Cumberland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cumberland County (38.2) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Dauphin County, PA (57.1); York County, PA (46.1); Perry County, PA (43.9).

  • 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). Cumberland County's score of 38.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cumberland 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 Cumberland County?

    Cumberland County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 270,738 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.