Kent County, Rhode Island

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.0 | 171,278 people · 2nd most distressed in Rhode Island
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Kent County, RI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.0 — 1846th 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 Rhode Island, it ranks 2nd of 5 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kent County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 79.7 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 79.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 88
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 74
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 61
Economic Vitality 73.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 65
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Legal Distress 55.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 55
Structural Poverty 37.3
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 13
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 43
Transfer Income Dependency 20
Consumer Credit Distress 26.0
Debt in Collections 30
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 20
Credit Card Delinquency 46
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 33

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kent County
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal —
Providence County, RI 59.9 Elevated +13.9
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal -10.5
Washington County, RI 31.6 Healthy -14.4
Bristol County, RI 29.9 Healthy -16.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kent County
Franklin County, WA 46.0 Normal 0.0
Columbia County, PA 46.0 Normal +0.0
Northumberland County, PA 46.0 Normal +0.0
Putnam County, WV 46.0 Normal +0.0
Mesa County, CO 46.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kent County

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Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Rhode Island Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 401-421-5740

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Kent County residents at no cost.

Rhode Island Legal Services (RILS) 401-274-2652

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Kent County, Rhode Island?

    Kent County has a County Distress Index score of 46.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,846th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 2nd in Rhode Island out of 5 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kent County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kent County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 79.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kent County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kent County (46.0) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Providence County, RI (59.9); Newport County, RI (35.5); Washington County, RI (31.6).

  • 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). Kent County's score of 46.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kent 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 Kent County?

    Kent County, Rhode Island has a population of approximately 171,278 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.