Hood County, Texas

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.4 | 67,774 people · 151st most distressed in Texas
American Default Research

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Hood County, TX registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.4 — 1050th 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 Texas, it ranks 151st of 254 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hood County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 68.3 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 68.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 73
Homeownership Rate 13
Economic Vitality 62.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 88
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 22
House Price Change (YoY) 64
Consumer Credit Distress 62.1
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 87
Auto Loan Delinquency 56
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 54
Legal Distress 62.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 62
Structural Poverty 24.2
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 8
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 32
Transfer Income Dependency 34

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hood County
Hood County, TX 58.4 Elevated —
Palo Pinto County, TX 72.2 Serious +13.8
Johnson County, TX 69.9 Serious +11.5
Erath County, TX 69.2 Serious +10.8
Parker County, TX 55.0 Elevated -3.4
Somervell County, TX 32.8 Healthy -25.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hood County
LaPorte County, IN 58.4 Elevated +0.0
Morgan County, AL 58.3 Elevated -0.1
Richland County, OH 58.3 Elevated -0.1
Jackson County, MI 58.5 Elevated +0.1
Washington County, MD 58.2 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hood County

Find an Attorney

State Bar of Texas — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

State Bar of Texas — Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-252-9690

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Hood County residents at no cost.

Texas RioGrande Legal Aid 1-888-988-9996
Lone Star Legal Aid 1-800-733-8394
Legal Aid of NorthWest Texas (888) 529-5277

Self-Help Resources

Texas State Law Library — Foreclosure Research Guide Comprehensive guide to Texas foreclosure law with links to statutes, forms, and practice guides.
TexasLawHelp.org Free legal information and self-help resources for low-income Texans.

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 Hood County, Texas?

    Hood County has a County Distress Index score of 58.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,050th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 151st in Texas out of 254 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hood County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hood County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 68.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Hood County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hood County (58.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Palo Pinto County, TX (72.2); Johnson County, TX (69.9); Erath County, TX (69.2).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Hood County's score of 58.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Hood 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 Hood County?

    Hood County, Texas has a population of approximately 67,774 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.