Washington County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 36.2 | 210,232 people · 53rd most distressed in Pennsylvania
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Washington County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 36.2 — 2413th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 53rd of 67 counties. It scores lower than all 9 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Washington County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 59.3 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 59.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Housing Cost Burden 42.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 39
Economic Vitality 34.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 17
Rent-to-Income Ratio 42
Business Formation Rate 61
House Price Change (YoY) 43
Consumer Credit Distress 33.5
Debt in Collections 35
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 38
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 8
Subprime Credit Population 36
Structural Poverty 24.4
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 16
Income vs. State Median 15
Child Poverty Rate 20
Disability Rate 40
Transfer Income Dependency 19

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, PA 36.2 Normal —
Fayette County, PA 63.3 Elevated +27.1
Hancock County, WV 60.5 Elevated +24.3
Brooke County, WV 58.1 Elevated +21.9
Ohio County, WV 54.9 Elevated +18.7
Marshall County, WV 52.8 Elevated +16.6
Greene County, PA 49.3 Normal +13.1
Beaver County, PA 46.5 Normal +10.3
Allegheny County, PA 41.6 Normal +5.4
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal +1.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Merrimack County, NH 36.2 Normal 0.0
Johnson County, IA 36.1 Normal -0.1
Midland County, MI 36.3 Normal +0.1
Gallatin County, MT 36.3 Normal +0.1
Queen Anne's County, MD 36.4 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington County.

BLUEPRINTS
Washington
724-225-9550 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHomeless/DisplacementPost-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 Washington 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 Washington County, Pennsylvania?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 36.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,413th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 53rd in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 59.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (36.2) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Fayette County, PA (63.3); Hancock County, WV (60.5); Brooke County, WV (58.1).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 36.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 210,232 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.