McKean County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.8 | 39,519 people · 23rd most distressed in Pennsylvania
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McKean County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.8 — 1725th 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 23rd 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. McKean County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 69.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 69.2
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 67
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 79
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Consumer Credit Distress 52.9
Debt in Collections 57
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 68
Credit Card Delinquency 70
Uninsured Rate 10
Subprime Credit Population 48
Economic Vitality 44.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 34
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 45
Housing Cost Burden 36.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 41
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 25
Legal Distress 15.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McKean County
McKean County, PA 47.8 Normal —
Cattaraugus County, NY 51.5 Elevated +3.7
Cameron County, PA 47.6 Normal -0.2
Allegany County, NY 44.6 Normal -3.2
Warren County, PA 36.9 Normal -10.9
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy -12.9
Elk County, PA 30.4 Healthy -17.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McKean County
Preston County, WV 47.8 Normal -0.0
Alleghany County, VA 47.9 Normal +0.0
Marion County, MO 47.7 Normal -0.1
Lee County, IA 47.7 Normal -0.1
Albany County, WY 48.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in McKean 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 McKean 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    McKean County has a County Distress Index score of 47.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,725th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McKean County?

    The primary driver of distress in McKean County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 69.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does McKean County compare to neighboring counties?

    McKean County (47.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cattaraugus County, NY (51.5); Cameron County, PA (47.6); Allegany County, NY (44.6).

  • 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). McKean County's score of 47.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    McKean 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 McKean County?

    McKean County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 39,519 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.