Potter County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.9 | 15,999 people · 57th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Potter County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.9 — 2479th 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 57th of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Potter County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 66.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 66.4
Unemployment Rate 89
Poverty Rate 43
Income vs. State Median 70
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 67
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Economic Vitality 44.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Consumer Credit Distress 34.0
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 28
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 23
Housing Cost Burden 23.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 18
Legal Distress 5.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Potter County
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy —
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +17.9
Clinton County, PA 51.3 Elevated +16.4
McKean County, PA 47.8 Normal +12.9
Cameron County, PA 47.6 Normal +12.7
Allegany County, NY 44.6 Normal +9.7
Tioga County, PA 44.0 Normal +9.0
Steuben County, NY 43.4 Normal +8.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Potter County
Chippewa County, MN 35.0 Healthy +0.0
Mackinac County, MI 35.0 Healthy +0.0
Inyo County, CA 34.9 Healthy -0.1
Wright County, IA 35.0 Healthy +0.1
Saline County, NE 34.9 Healthy -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Potter 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 Potter 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 Potter County, Pennsylvania?

    Potter County has a County Distress Index score of 34.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,479th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 57th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Potter County?

    The primary driver of distress in Potter County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 66.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Potter County compare to neighboring counties?

    Potter County (34.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Lycoming County, PA (52.8); Clinton County, PA (51.3); McKean County, PA (47.8).

  • 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). Potter County's score of 34.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Potter 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 Potter County?

    Potter County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 15,999 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.