Jefferson County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.5 | 43,612 people · 30th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Jefferson County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.5 — 1872nd 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 30th of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jefferson County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.1 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.1
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 81
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 75
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 58.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 38
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Housing Cost Burden 52.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 56
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 51
Consumer Credit Distress 35.6
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 30
Auto Loan Delinquency 61
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 27
Legal Distress 22.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 23

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Jefferson County, PA 45.5 Normal —
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal +2.2
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal -2.1
Clarion County, PA 43.3 Normal -2.2
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal -7.5
Forest County, PA 31.1 Healthy -14.3
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -15.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Owen County, IN 45.5 Normal +0.0
Transylvania County, NC 45.5 Normal +0.0
Osage County, KS 45.4 Normal -0.1
Beltrami County, MN 45.4 Normal -0.1
Appomattox County, VA 45.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jefferson 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 Jefferson 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Jefferson County, Pennsylvania?

    Jefferson County has a County Distress Index score of 45.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,872nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Jefferson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jefferson County (45.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Indiana County, PA (47.6); Clearfield County, PA (43.4); 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 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). Jefferson County's score of 45.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?

    Jefferson County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 43,612 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.