Lycoming County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 52.8 | 112,724 people · 14th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Lycoming County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 52.8 — 1414th 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 14th of 67 counties. It scores higher than all 9 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lycoming County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 74.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 74.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 83
Homeownership Rate 73
Economic Vitality 66.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 57
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 61
Structural Poverty 52.6
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 44
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 52
Consumer Credit Distress 46.7
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 57
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 48
Uninsured Rate 22
Subprime Credit Population 47
Legal Distress 11.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lycoming County
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated —
Clinton County, PA 51.3 Elevated -1.5
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal -6.8
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal -6.8
Tioga County, PA 44.0 Normal -8.9
Bradford County, PA 39.6 Normal -13.3
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy -17.9
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy -19.7
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy -21.0
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy -25.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lycoming County
Williamson County, IL 52.8 Elevated -0.0
Guadalupe County, TX 52.9 Elevated +0.1
Clinton County, NY 52.9 Elevated +0.1
Oswego County, NY 53.0 Elevated +0.1
Indian River County, FL 53.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lycoming 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 Lycoming 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 Lycoming County, Pennsylvania?

    Lycoming County has a County Distress Index score of 52.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,414th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lycoming County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lycoming County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 74.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lycoming County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lycoming County (52.8) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Clinton County, PA (51.3); Northumberland County, PA (46.0); Columbia County, PA (46.0).

  • 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). Lycoming County's score of 52.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lycoming 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 Lycoming County?

    Lycoming County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 112,724 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.