Somerset County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.9 | 72,197 people · 55th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Somerset County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.9 — 2424th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 55th of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Somerset County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 57.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 57.6
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 38
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Legal Distress 55.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Economic Vitality 38.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 86
House Price Change (YoY) 1
Housing Cost Burden 36.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 41
Homeownership Rate 18
Consumer Credit Distress 26.1
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 31
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 28
Uninsured Rate 27
Subprime Credit Population 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Somerset County, PA 35.9 Normal —
Fayette County, PA 63.3 Elevated +27.4
Allegany County, MD 57.4 Elevated +21.4
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal +12.9
Bedford County, PA 40.7 Normal +4.8
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal +2.2
Garrett County, MD 34.5 Healthy -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Somerset County
Ontario County, NY 35.9 Normal -0.0
Tazewell County, IL 35.8 Normal -0.1
Platte County, MO 35.7 Normal -0.2
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal +0.2
Grand Forks County, ND 35.7 Normal -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Somerset 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 Somerset 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 Somerset County, Pennsylvania?

    Somerset County has a County Distress Index score of 35.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,424th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Somerset County?

    The primary driver of distress in Somerset County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 57.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Somerset County compare to neighboring counties?

    Somerset County (35.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Fayette County, PA (63.3); Allegany County, MD (57.4); Cambria County, PA (48.8).

  • 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 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). Somerset County's score of 35.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Somerset 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 Somerset County?

    Somerset County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 72,197 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.