Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 62.1 | 327,388 people · 4th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Luzerne County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 62.1 — 823rd 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 4th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Luzerne County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 72.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 72.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 65
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 78
Economic Vitality 62.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 65
Rent-to-Income Ratio 80
Business Formation Rate 45
House Price Change (YoY) 28
Structural Poverty 62.3
Unemployment Rate 72
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 80
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 48
Consumer Credit Distress 58.6
Debt in Collections 62
Medical Debt 56
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 67
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 62
Legal Distress 50.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Luzerne County
Luzerne County, PA 62.1 Elevated —
Monroe County, PA 68.2 Serious +6.1
Lackawanna County, PA 59.7 Elevated -2.3
Carbon County, PA 56.2 Elevated -5.8
Schuylkill County, PA 51.2 Elevated -10.9
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal -16.1
Wyoming County, PA 39.3 Normal -22.8
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy -29.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Luzerne County
Horry County, SC 62.1 Elevated +0.0
Tulsa County, OK 61.8 Elevated -0.3
Jefferson County, KY 61.7 Elevated -0.4
New Castle County, DE 61.7 Elevated -0.4
Baltimore County, MD 62.6 Elevated +0.5

Download Data

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

Find Help in Luzerne County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Luzerne County.

COMMISSION ON ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY OF LUZERNE COUNTY
Wilkes Barre
570-826-0510-216 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpHome Improvement/RehabRental Help
HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION OF NORTHEAST
Wilkes Barre
570-824-4803
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-Lease/Pre-Purchase

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 Luzerne 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 Luzerne County, Pennsylvania?

    Luzerne County has a County Distress Index score of 62.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 823rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Luzerne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Luzerne County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 72.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Luzerne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Luzerne County (62.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Monroe County, PA (68.2); Lackawanna County, PA (59.7); Carbon County, PA (56.2).

  • 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). Luzerne County's score of 62.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Luzerne 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 Luzerne County?

    Luzerne County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 327,388 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.