Newport County, Rhode Island

County Distress Index: Normal · 35.5 | 83,832 people · 3rd most distressed in Rhode Island
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Newport County, RI falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 35.5 — 2453rd 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 3rd of 5 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newport County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 83.8 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 83.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 82
Homeownership Rate 79
Economic Vitality 76.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 83
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 19
Structural Poverty 30.5
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 49
Child Poverty Rate 31
Disability Rate 14
Transfer Income Dependency 9
Consumer Credit Distress 10.6
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 11
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 6
Legal Distress 8.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newport County
Newport County, RI 35.5 Normal —
Bristol County, MA 55.8 Elevated +20.3
Kent County, RI 46.0 Normal +10.5
Washington County, RI 31.6 Healthy -3.9
Bristol County, RI 29.9 Healthy -5.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newport County
Minnehaha County, SD 35.5 Normal +0.0
Barry County, MI 35.6 Normal +0.1
Grand Forks County, ND 35.7 Normal +0.2
Platte County, MO 35.7 Normal +0.2
Grant County, WI 35.2 Normal -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Newport County

Find an Attorney

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 Newport County residents at no cost.

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

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 Rhode Island →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Newport County has a County Distress Index score of 35.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,453rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 3rd in Rhode Island out of 5 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newport County?

    The primary driver of distress in Newport County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 83.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Newport County compare to neighboring counties?

    Newport County (35.5) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Bristol County, MA (55.8); Kent County, RI (46.0); 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). Newport County's score of 35.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Newport 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 Newport County?

    Newport County, Rhode Island has a population of approximately 83,832 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.