Sullivan County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.1 | 5,834 people · 59th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Sullivan County, PA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.1 — 2578th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 59th of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sullivan County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 61.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 61.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Structural Poverty 61.0
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 52
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 60
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Economic Vitality 53.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 34
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 14
Housing Cost Burden 25.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 22
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 7
Consumer Credit Distress 20.2
Debt in Collections 31
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sullivan County
Sullivan County, PA 33.1 Healthy —
Luzerne County, PA 62.1 Elevated +29.0
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +19.7
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal +12.9
Bradford County, PA 39.6 Normal +6.5
Wyoming County, PA 39.3 Normal +6.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sullivan County
Adams County, ID 33.1 Healthy 0.0
Wibaux County, MT 33.1 Healthy -0.0
Stafford County, KS 33.1 Healthy +0.0
Adams County, IA 33.3 Healthy +0.2
Smith County, KS 33.3 Healthy +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sullivan 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 Sullivan 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 Sullivan County, Pennsylvania?

    Sullivan County has a County Distress Index score of 33.1 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,578th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 59th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sullivan County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sullivan County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 61.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sullivan County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sullivan County (33.1) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Luzerne County, PA (62.1); Lycoming County, PA (52.8); 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). Sullivan County's score of 33.1 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Sullivan 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 Sullivan County?

    Sullivan County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 5,834 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.