Montour County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 31.8 | 17,860 people · 61st most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Montour County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 31.8 — 2659th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 61st of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Montour County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 50.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 50.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 80
Economic Vitality 35.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 83
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 28.7
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 16
Structural Poverty 23.7
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 19
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 24
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 29
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Montour County
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy —
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +21.0
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal +14.2
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal +14.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Montour County
Kandiyohi County, MN 31.9 Healthy +0.0
Teton County, ID 31.9 Healthy +0.1
Winnebago County, IA 31.9 Healthy +0.1
Grand County, CO 31.7 Healthy -0.1
Skamania County, WA 31.7 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Montour 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 Montour 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 Montour County, Pennsylvania?

    Montour County has a County Distress Index score of 31.8 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,659th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 61st in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Montour County?

    The primary driver of distress in Montour County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 50.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Montour County compare to neighboring counties?

    Montour County (31.8) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Lycoming County, PA (52.8); 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 Healthy 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). Montour County's score of 31.8 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Montour 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 Montour County?

    Montour County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 17,860 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.