Wayne County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.4 | 51,262 people · 37th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Wayne County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.4 — 1989th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 37th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wayne County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 59.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 59.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 11
Structural Poverty 49.3
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 44
Income vs. State Median 31
Child Poverty Rate 43
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Economic Vitality 47.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 44
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Legal Distress 35.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 36
Consumer Credit Distress 34.8
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 30
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 35
Subprime Credit Population 36

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Wayne County, PA 43.4 Normal —
Monroe County, PA 68.2 Serious +24.8
Lackawanna County, PA 59.7 Elevated +16.3
Pike County, PA 59.5 Elevated +16.1
Sullivan County, NY 56.3 Elevated +12.9
Broome County, NY 51.1 Elevated +7.7
Delaware County, NY 43.6 Normal +0.2
Susquehanna County, PA 40.7 Normal -2.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wayne County
Steuben County, NY 43.4 Normal +0.0
Clearfield County, PA 43.4 Normal -0.0
Walla Walla County, WA 43.5 Normal +0.1
Rutland County, VT 43.3 Normal -0.1
Campbell County, VA 43.6 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wayne 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 Wayne 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 Wayne County, Pennsylvania?

    Wayne County has a County Distress Index score of 43.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,989th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 37th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wayne County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wayne County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 59.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Wayne County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wayne County (43.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Monroe County, PA (68.2); Lackawanna County, PA (59.7); Pike County, PA (59.5).

  • 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). Wayne County's score of 43.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Wayne 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 Wayne County?

    Wayne County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 51,262 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.