Mifflin County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.7 | 45,922 people · 33rd most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Mifflin County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.7 — 1912th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 33rd of 67 counties. It scores higher than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Mifflin County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.6
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 67
Child Poverty Rate 67
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 64
Housing Cost Burden 45.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 36
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 64
Consumer Credit Distress 44.3
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 61
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 44
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 44
Economic Vitality 37.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 24
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 8
Legal Distress 26.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 26

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Mifflin County
Mifflin County, PA 44.7 Normal —
Centre County, PA 39.4 Normal -5.4
Huntingdon County, PA 37.8 Normal -6.9
Snyder County, PA 36.1 Normal -8.6
Juniata County, PA 35.6 Normal -9.1
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy -16.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Mifflin County
Benewah County, ID 44.7 Normal 0.0
Montgomery County, MO 44.7 Normal 0.0
Llano County, TX 44.8 Normal +0.1
Webster County, MO 44.9 Normal +0.1
Allegany County, NY 44.6 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Mifflin 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 Mifflin 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 Mifflin County, Pennsylvania?

    Mifflin County has a County Distress Index score of 44.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,912th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 33rd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Mifflin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Mifflin County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Mifflin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Mifflin County (44.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Centre County, PA (39.4); Huntingdon County, PA (37.8); Snyder County, PA (36.1).

  • 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). Mifflin County's score of 44.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Mifflin 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 Mifflin County?

    Mifflin County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 45,922 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.