Northumberland County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.0 | 90,120 people · 28th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Northumberland County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.0 — 1840th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 28th of 67 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Northumberland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 58.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 58.2
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 40
Income vs. State Median 66
Child Poverty Rate 39
Disability Rate 55
Transfer Income Dependency 72
Consumer Credit Distress 48.9
Debt in Collections 55
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 61
Uninsured Rate 11
Subprime Credit Population 53
Housing Cost Burden 42.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 48
Economic Vitality 38.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 21
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 88
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Legal Distress 26.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Northumberland County
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal —
Dauphin County, PA 57.1 Elevated +11.1
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +6.8
Schuylkill County, PA 51.2 Elevated +5.1
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal -0.0
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal -2.1
Snyder County, PA 36.1 Normal -9.9
Juniata County, PA 35.6 Normal -10.4
Montour County, PA 31.8 Healthy -14.2
Union County, PA 27.8 Healthy -18.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Northumberland County
Putnam County, WV 46.0 Normal 0.0
Mesa County, CO 46.1 Normal +0.0
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal -0.0
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal -0.0
Franklin County, WA 46.0 Normal -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Northumberland 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 Northumberland 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 Northumberland County, Pennsylvania?

    Northumberland County has a County Distress Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,840th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Northumberland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Northumberland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 58.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Northumberland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Northumberland County (46.0) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Dauphin County, PA (57.1); Lycoming County, PA (52.8); Schuylkill County, PA (51.2).

  • 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). Northumberland County's score of 46.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Northumberland 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 Northumberland County?

    Northumberland County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 90,120 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.