Tioga County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 44.0 | 40,840 people · 34th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Tioga County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 44.0 — 1955th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 34th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Tioga County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.2
Unemployment Rate 67
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 50
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 70
Economic Vitality 53.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 91
House Price Change (YoY) 44
Housing Cost Burden 46.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 47
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 49
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 37
Consumer Credit Distress 40.1
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 34
Subprime Credit Population 40
Legal Distress 21.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Tioga County
Tioga County, PA 44.0 Normal —
Chemung County, NY 58.9 Elevated +14.9
Lycoming County, PA 52.8 Elevated +8.9
Steuben County, NY 43.4 Normal -0.5
Bradford County, PA 39.6 Normal -4.4
Potter County, PA 34.9 Healthy -9.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Tioga County
Stephenson County, IL 44.0 Normal 0.0
Union County, IL 44.0 Normal 0.0
Okanogan County, WA 44.0 Normal -0.0
Crook County, OR 44.0 Normal -0.0
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Tioga 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 Tioga 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 Tioga County, Pennsylvania?

    Tioga County has a County Distress Index score of 44.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,955th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Tioga County?

    The primary driver of distress in Tioga County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Tioga County compare to neighboring counties?

    Tioga County (44.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Chemung County, NY (58.9); Lycoming County, PA (52.8); Steuben County, NY (43.4).

  • 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 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). Tioga County's score of 44.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Tioga 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 Tioga County?

    Tioga County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 40,840 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.