Addison County, Vermont

County Distress Index: Healthy · 26.7 | 37,720 people · 14th most distressed in Vermont
American Default Research

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

Addison County, VT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 26.7 — 2903rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Vermont, it ranks 14th of 14 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Addison County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 63.4 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 63.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 19
Economic Vitality 59.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 51
House Price Change (YoY) 33
Structural Poverty 19.2
Unemployment Rate 6
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 25
Child Poverty Rate 6
Disability Rate 47
Transfer Income Dependency 16
Consumer Credit Distress 8.6
Debt in Collections 7
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 7
Credit Card Delinquency 13
Uninsured Rate 13
Subprime Credit Population 8
Legal Distress 5.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Addison County
Addison County, VT 26.7 Healthy —
Washington County, NY 51.3 Elevated +24.6
Rutland County, VT 43.3 Normal +16.5
Essex County, NY 41.4 Normal +14.6
Orange County, VT 33.2 Healthy +6.5
Chittenden County, VT 32.2 Healthy +5.5
Windsor County, VT 31.1 Healthy +4.3
Washington County, VT 27.5 Healthy +0.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Addison County
Falls Church city, VA 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Jackson County, IA 26.7 Healthy -0.0
Allamakee County, IA 26.7 Healthy -0.1
Vernon County, WI 26.9 Healthy +0.1
Franklin County, ID 26.9 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Addison County

Find an Attorney

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

Vermont Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 802-223-2020

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Addison County residents at no cost.

Vermont Legal Aid 1-800-889-2047
Legal Services Vermont (800) 889-2047

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 Vermont →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Addison County, Vermont?

    Addison County has a County Distress Index score of 26.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,903rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Vermont out of 14 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Addison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Addison County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 63.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Addison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Addison County (26.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Washington County, NY (51.3); Rutland County, VT (43.3); Essex County, NY (41.4).

  • 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). Addison County's score of 26.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Addison 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 Addison County?

    Addison County, Vermont has a population of approximately 37,720 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.