Washington County, Utah

County Distress Index: Normal · 45.7 | 202,452 people · 5th most distressed in Utah
American Default Research

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Washington County, UT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 45.7 — 1864th 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 Utah, it ranks 5th of 29 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. Washington County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 84.2 — worse than roughly 84% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 84.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 87
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 59
Economic Vitality 72.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 3
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 68.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 69
Structural Poverty 31.1
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 25
Income vs. State Median 40
Child Poverty Rate 23
Disability Rate 23
Transfer Income Dependency 26
Consumer Credit Distress 23.0
Debt in Collections 16
Medical Debt 26
Auto Loan Delinquency 22
Credit Card Delinquency 18
Uninsured Rate 77
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, UT 45.7 Normal —
Mohave County, AZ 64.7 Elevated +19.0
Lincoln County, NV 46.2 Normal +0.6
Iron County, UT 41.0 Normal -4.7
Kane County, UT 33.7 Healthy -11.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Newton County, MO 45.6 Normal -0.0
Campbell County, KY 45.6 Normal -0.1
Johnson County, MO 45.8 Normal +0.1
Tuscola County, MI 45.8 Normal +0.2
Kennebec County, ME 45.8 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington County.

SUN COUNTRY HOME SOLUTIONS BRANCH
SAINT GEORGE
435-218-7189 Website
Financial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Utah →

Find an Attorney

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 Washington County residents at no cost.

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

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 Utah →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 45.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,864th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 5th in Utah out of 29 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 84.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (45.7) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Mohave County, AZ (64.7); Lincoln County, NV (46.2); Iron County, UT (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 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). Washington County's score of 45.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Utah has a population of approximately 202,452 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.