Franklin County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.9 | 157,854 people · 36th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Franklin County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.9 — 1962nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 36th of 67 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Franklin County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 69.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 69.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 79
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 77
House Price Change (YoY) 46
Housing Cost Burden 49.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 45
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 86
Homeownership Rate 56
Consumer Credit Distress 43.3
Debt in Collections 34
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 59
Subprime Credit Population 38
Legal Distress 35.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 35
Structural Poverty 24.6
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 16
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal —
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +14.3
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal +0.0
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal -5.1
Cumberland County, PA 38.2 Normal -5.7
Huntingdon County, PA 37.8 Normal -6.1
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal -6.4
Juniata County, PA 35.6 Normal -8.3
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy -12.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Franklin County
Newaygo County, MI 43.9 Normal -0.0
Boone County, IL 43.9 Normal +0.0
Alexandria city, VA 43.9 Normal +0.0
Warren County, NJ 43.8 Normal -0.1
Fairbanks North Star Borough, AK 43.8 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Franklin County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Franklin County.

PATHSTONE CORPORATION-PENNSYLVANIA
Chambersburg
717-264-5913 Website
Financial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Franklin 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 Franklin County, Pennsylvania?

    Franklin County has a County Distress Index score of 43.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,962nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Franklin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Franklin County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 69.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Franklin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Franklin County (43.9) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Washington County, MD (58.2); Perry County, PA (43.9); Frederick County, MD (38.8).

  • 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). Franklin County's score of 43.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Franklin 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 Franklin County?

    Franklin County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 157,854 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.