York County, Pennsylvania

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.1 | 464,640 people · 27th most distressed in Pennsylvania
American Default Research

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York County, PA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.1 — 1839th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Pennsylvania, it ranks 27th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. York County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 67.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 67.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 60
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 43
Legal Distress 63.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 48.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 36
Business Formation Rate 59
House Price Change (YoY) 27
Consumer Credit Distress 39.7
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 34
Auto Loan Delinquency 35
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 14
Subprime Credit Population 45
Structural Poverty 22.0
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 11
Child Poverty Rate 19
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 26

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. York County
York County, PA 46.1 Normal —
Baltimore County, MD 62.6 Elevated +16.5
Dauphin County, PA 57.1 Elevated +11.1
Harford County, MD 45.5 Normal -0.6
Lancaster County, PA 42.5 Normal -3.5
Cumberland County, PA 38.2 Normal -7.9
Adams County, PA 37.5 Normal -8.6
Carroll County, MD 32.3 Healthy -13.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. York County
Middlesex County, NJ 46.0 Normal -0.1
Thurston County, WA 45.8 Normal -0.3
Erie County, NY 46.4 Normal +0.4
Harford County, MD 45.5 Normal -0.6
Madison County, IL 47.0 Normal +0.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in York County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near York County.

COMMUNITY PROGRESS COUNCIL, INC.
York
717-846-4600
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 York 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 York County, Pennsylvania?

    York County has a County Distress Index score of 46.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,839th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Pennsylvania out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in York County?

    The primary driver of distress in York County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 67.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does York County compare to neighboring counties?

    York County (46.1) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Baltimore County, MD (62.6); Dauphin County, PA (57.1); Harford County, MD (45.5).

  • 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). York County's score of 46.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    York 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 York County?

    York County, Pennsylvania has a population of approximately 464,640 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.