Lawrence County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.1 | 84,472 people · 17th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Lawrence County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.1 — 1514th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 17th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lawrence County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 67.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 67.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 67
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 45
Structural Poverty 60.6
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 55
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 68
Legal Distress 53.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 42.0
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 37
Auto Loan Delinquency 23
Credit Card Delinquency 59
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 49
Economic Vitality 41.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 81
House Price Change (YoY) 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Lawrence County, PA 51.1 Elevated —
Mahoning County, OH 65.8 Serious +14.7
Columbiana County, OH 59.7 Elevated +8.6
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal -2.7
Beaver County, PA 46.5 Normal -4.6
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -22.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lawrence County
Broome County, NY 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Schuylkill County, PA 51.2 Elevated +0.0
Tuscarawas County, OH 51.1 Elevated -0.1
Wilson County, TX 51.2 Elevated +0.1
Roane County, TN 51.0 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lawrence County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Lawrence County.

DON SERVICES
New Castle
724-652-5144 Website
Financial CounselingFair HousingPre-Lease/Pre-PurchasePre-Purchase
HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES OF BEAVER COUNTY, INCOR
New Castle
724-728-7511 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseRental Help

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 Lawrence 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 Lawrence County, Pennsylvania?

    Lawrence County has a County Distress Index score of 51.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,514th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 17th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lawrence County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lawrence County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 67.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lawrence County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lawrence County (51.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Mahoning County, OH (65.8); Columbiana County, OH (59.7); Mercer County, PA (48.5).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Lawrence County's score of 51.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lawrence 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 Lawrence County?

    Lawrence County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 84,472 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.