Fulton County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.0 | 14,468 people · 63rd most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Fulton County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.0 — 2700th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 63rd of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fulton County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 53.7 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 53.7
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Consumer Credit Distress 34.2
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 46
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 18
Subprime Credit Population 30
Economic Vitality 28.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 20.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 13
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 32
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Fulton County, PA 31.0 Healthy —
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated +27.2
Allegany County, MD 57.4 Elevated +26.3
Franklin County, PA 43.9 Normal +12.9
Bedford County, PA 40.7 Normal +9.7
Huntingdon County, PA 37.8 Normal +6.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fulton County
Fergus County, MT 31.0 Healthy 0.0
Mercer County, IL 31.0 Healthy +0.0
Shelby County, IA 31.0 Healthy -0.0
Marion County, KS 31.1 Healthy +0.0
Richland County, WI 31.0 Healthy -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fulton 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 Fulton 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 Fulton County, Pennsylvania?

    Fulton County has a County Distress Index score of 31.0 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,700th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fulton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fulton County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 53.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Fulton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fulton County (31.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Washington County, MD (58.2); Allegany County, MD (57.4); Franklin 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 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). Fulton County's score of 31.0 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Fulton 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 Fulton County?

    Fulton County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 14,468 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.