Forest County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.1 | 6,449 people · 62nd most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Forest County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.1 — 2690th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 62nd 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. Forest County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 93.8 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 93.8
Unemployment Rate 95
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 89
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 45.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 76
Business Formation Rate 95
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Consumer Credit Distress 22.3
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 19
Auto Loan Delinquency 40
Credit Card Delinquency 17
Uninsured Rate 25
Subprime Credit Population 5
Legal Distress 15.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16
Housing Cost Burden 11.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 6
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Forest County
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy —
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal +14.3
Venango County, PA 44.9 Normal +13.8
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal +12.1
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal +5.8
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -0.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Forest County
Hamilton County, NY 31.1 Healthy -0.1
Petroleum County, MT 31.1 Healthy -0.1
Walworth County, SD 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Grant County, MN 31.3 Healthy +0.1
Merrick County, NE 31.3 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Forest 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 Forest 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 Forest County, Pennsylvania?

    Forest County has a County Distress Index score of 31.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,690th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Forest County?

    The primary driver of distress in Forest County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 93.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Forest County compare to neighboring counties?

    Forest County (31.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Jefferson County, PA (45.5); Venango County, PA (44.9); Clarion County, PA (43.3).

  • 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). Forest County's score of 31.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Forest 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 Forest County?

    Forest County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 6,449 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.