Indiana County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.6 | 83,094 people · 24th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Indiana County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.6 — 1738th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 24th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Indiana County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 63.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 63.9
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Housing Cost Burden 62.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 45
Homeownership Rate 66
Economic Vitality 41.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 14
Rent-to-Income Ratio 46
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Consumer Credit Distress 39.8
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 39
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 42
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 34
Legal Distress 30.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Indiana County
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal —
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal +1.1
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal -2.2
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal -4.3
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal -9.6
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal -9.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Indiana County
Lake County, OH 47.6 Normal 0.0
Elko County, NV 47.7 Normal +0.1
Licking County, OH 47.7 Normal +0.1
Pulaski County, MO 47.5 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, KS 47.8 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Indiana County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Indiana County.

INDIANA COUNTY COMMUNITY ACTION PROGRAM, INCO
INDIANA
724-465-2657-218 Website
Foreclosure Prevention

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 Indiana 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 Indiana County, Pennsylvania?

    Indiana County has a County Distress Index score of 47.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,738th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Indiana County?

    The primary driver of distress in Indiana County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 63.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Indiana County compare to neighboring counties?

    Indiana County (47.6) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Cambria County, PA (48.8); Jefferson County, PA (45.5); Clearfield County, PA (43.4).

  • 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). Indiana County's score of 47.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Indiana 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 Indiana County?

    Indiana County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 83,094 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.