Elk County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 30.4 | 30,198 people · 64th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Elk County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 30.4 — 2743rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where household incomes are relatively strong and poverty rates are low. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 64th of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Elk County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 44.5 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 44.5
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 37
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 61
Housing Cost Burden 34.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 4
Homeownership Rate 24
Economic Vitality 34.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 23
Rent-to-Income Ratio 16
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 31
Legal Distress 29.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 23.7
Debt in Collections 22
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 36
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Elk County
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy —
McKean County, PA 47.8 Normal +17.4
Cameron County, PA 47.6 Normal +17.2
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal +15.1
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal +13.0
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal +6.6
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy +0.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Elk County
Waseca County, MN 30.4 Healthy +0.0
Louisa County, IA 30.4 Healthy +0.1
Lawrence County, SD 30.4 Healthy +0.1
Posey County, IN 30.3 Healthy -0.1
Antrim County, MI 30.5 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Elk 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 Elk 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 Elk County, Pennsylvania?

    Elk County has a County Distress Index score of 30.4 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,743rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Elk County?

    The primary driver of distress in Elk County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 44.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Elk County compare to neighboring counties?

    Elk County (30.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: McKean County, PA (47.8); Cameron County, PA (47.6); Jefferson County, PA (45.5).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Elk County's score of 30.4 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Elk 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 Elk County?

    Elk County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 30,198 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.