Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.2 | 143,786 people · 16th most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Schuylkill County, PA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.2 — 1511th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 16th of 67 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Schuylkill County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.9
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 56
Income vs. State Median 47
Child Poverty Rate 65
Disability Rate 68
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Consumer Credit Distress 57.8
Debt in Collections 63
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 70
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 58
Housing Cost Burden 43.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 41
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 54
Homeownership Rate 40
Economic Vitality 40.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 29
Rent-to-Income Ratio 33
Business Formation Rate 87
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Legal Distress 30.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Schuylkill County
Schuylkill County, PA 51.2 Elevated —
Luzerne County, PA 62.1 Elevated +10.9
Lehigh County, PA 61.2 Elevated +10.1
Berks County, PA 59.4 Elevated +8.3
Dauphin County, PA 57.1 Elevated +6.0
Carbon County, PA 56.2 Elevated +5.0
Lebanon County, PA 50.3 Elevated -0.9
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal -5.1
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal -5.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Schuylkill County
Lawrence County, PA 51.1 Elevated -0.0
Wilson County, TX 51.2 Elevated +0.0
Broome County, NY 51.1 Elevated -0.1
Tuscarawas County, OH 51.1 Elevated -0.1
Reno County, KS 51.3 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Schuylkill County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Schuylkill County.

SCHUYLKILL COMMUNITY ACTION
Pottsville
570-622-1995
Foreclosure PreventionHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/DisplacementPre-Purchase

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 Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania?

    Schuylkill County has a County Distress Index score of 51.2 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,511th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Schuylkill County?

    The primary driver of distress in Schuylkill County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Schuylkill County compare to neighboring counties?

    Schuylkill County (51.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Luzerne County, PA (62.1); Lehigh County, PA (61.2); Berks County, PA (59.4).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Schuylkill County's score of 51.2 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Schuylkill 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 Schuylkill County?

    Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 143,786 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.