Erie County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 54.8 | 267,571 people · 12th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Erie County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 54.8 — 1284th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 12th of 67 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Erie County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 81.4 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 81.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 83
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 88
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 77
Structural Poverty 57.6
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 58
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 64
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 53
Economic Vitality 54.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 74
Business Formation Rate 15
House Price Change (YoY) 12
Consumer Credit Distress 44.4
Debt in Collections 50
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 48
Legal Distress 36.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Erie County
Erie County, PA 54.8 Elevated —
Ashtabula County, OH 72.3 Serious +17.5
Chautauqua County, NY 51.6 Elevated -3.2
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal -9.8
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal -17.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Erie County
Canyon County, ID 54.8 Elevated -0.0
Lorain County, OH 54.9 Elevated +0.1
Orange County, NY 54.5 Elevated -0.4
Delaware County, PA 55.2 Elevated +0.4
Lane County, OR 54.4 Elevated -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Erie County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Erie County.

GREATER ERIE COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY
Erie
814-459-4581-406 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/Displacement
SAINT MARTIN CENTER, INC
Erie
814-452-6113 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 Erie 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 Erie County, Pennsylvania?

    Erie County has a County Distress Index score of 54.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,284th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Erie County?

    The primary driver of distress in Erie County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 81.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Erie County compare to neighboring counties?

    Erie County (54.8) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Ashtabula County, OH (72.3); Chautauqua County, NY (51.6); Crawford County, PA (45.1).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Erie County's score of 54.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Erie 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 Erie County?

    Erie County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 267,571 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.