Mercer County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.5 | 108,503 people · 22nd most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Mercer County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.5 — 1682nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 22nd of 67 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mercer County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.3
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 42
Income vs. State Median 56
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 72
Housing Cost Burden 54.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 58
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 60
Legal Distress 48.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 49
Consumer Credit Distress 43.9
Debt in Collections 46
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 40
Economic Vitality 41.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 22
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 89
House Price Change (YoY) 74

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal —
Trumbull County, OH 66.0 Serious +17.6
Mahoning County, OH 65.8 Serious +17.4
Lawrence County, PA 51.1 Elevated +2.7
Crawford County, PA 45.1 Normal -3.4
Venango County, PA 44.9 Normal -3.6
Butler County, PA 28.5 Healthy -20.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mercer County
Culpeper County, VA 48.5 Normal -0.0
Warren County, NY 48.4 Normal -0.0
Lewis County, WA 48.5 Normal +0.0
Franklin County, MA 48.5 Normal +0.1
Eddy County, NM 48.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mercer County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Mercer County.

COMMUNITY ACTION PARTNERSHIP OF MERCER COUNTY
Sharon
724-342-6222
Financial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPre-PurchaseRental Help
SHENANGO VALLEY URBAN LEAGUE
Farrell
724-981-5310
Foreclosure PreventionHomeless/DisplacementPre-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 Mercer 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 Mercer County, Pennsylvania?

    Mercer County has a County Distress Index score of 48.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,682nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mercer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mercer County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mercer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mercer County (48.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Trumbull County, OH (66.0); Mahoning County, OH (65.8); Lawrence County, PA (51.1).

  • 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). Mercer County's score of 48.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Mercer 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 Mercer County?

    Mercer County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 108,503 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.