Summit County, Utah

County Distress Index: Healthy · 20.6 | 42,759 people · 28th most distressed in Utah
American Default Research

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Summit County, UT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 20.6 — 3061st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Utah, it ranks 28th of 29 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 7 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Summit County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 57.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 57.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Housing Cost Burden 40.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 30
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 50
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 17
Legal Distress 30.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 31
Consumer Credit Distress 8.0
Debt in Collections 1
Medical Debt 25
Auto Loan Delinquency 3
Credit Card Delinquency 1
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 1
Structural Poverty 2.1
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Summit County
Summit County, UT 20.6 Healthy —
Salt Lake County, UT 48.2 Normal +27.6
Sweetwater County, WY 47.5 Normal +26.8
Uinta County, WY 41.0 Normal +20.4
Duchesne County, UT 40.9 Normal +20.3
Wasatch County, UT 26.0 Healthy +5.4
Daggett County, UT 25.3 Healthy +4.7
Rich County, UT 21.4 Healthy +0.8
Morgan County, UT 15.3 Healthy -5.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Summit County
Blaine County, ID 20.5 Healthy -0.1
Saunders County, NE 20.8 Healthy +0.2
Botetourt County, VA 20.9 Healthy +0.3
Pottawatomie County, KS 21.0 Healthy +0.4
Plymouth County, IA 20.2 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Summit County

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

Utah State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 801-531-9077

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Summit County residents at no cost.

Utah Legal Services 1-800-662-4245
Legal Aid Society of Salt Lake 801-328-8849

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Summit County, Utah?

    Summit County has a County Distress Index score of 20.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,061st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 28th in Utah out of 29 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Summit County?

    The primary driver of distress in Summit County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 57.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Summit County compare to neighboring counties?

    Summit County (20.6) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Salt Lake County, UT (48.2); Sweetwater County, WY (47.5); Uinta County, WY (41.0).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Summit County's score of 20.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Summit 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 Summit County?

    Summit County, Utah has a population of approximately 42,759 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.