Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.1 | 351,163 people · 48th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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Westmoreland County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.1 — 2309th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 48th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Westmoreland County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 64.2 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 64.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 58
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 26
Legal Distress 59.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 59
Housing Cost Burden 42.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 42
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 47
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 27
Structural Poverty 34.5
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 25
Child Poverty Rate 29
Disability Rate 43
Transfer Income Dependency 39
Consumer Credit Distress 28.6
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 37
Uninsured Rate 3
Subprime Credit Population 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Westmoreland County
Westmoreland County, PA 38.1 Normal —
Fayette County, PA 63.3 Elevated +25.3
Cambria County, PA 48.8 Normal +10.7
Indiana County, PA 47.6 Normal +9.6
Allegheny County, PA 41.6 Normal +3.5
Armstrong County, PA 38.0 Normal -0.1
Washington County, PA 36.2 Normal -1.9
Somerset County, PA 35.9 Normal -2.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Westmoreland County
Cumberland County, PA 38.2 Normal +0.1
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal +0.1
Jefferson County, CO 37.7 Normal -0.3
Placer County, CA 37.4 Normal -0.7
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal +0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania?

    Westmoreland County has a County Distress Index score of 38.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,309th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Westmoreland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Westmoreland County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 64.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Westmoreland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Westmoreland County (38.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Fayette County, PA (63.3); Cambria County, PA (48.8); Indiana County, PA (47.6).

  • 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). Westmoreland County's score of 38.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Westmoreland 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 Westmoreland County?

    Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 351,163 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.