Caledonia County, Vermont

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.6 | 30,610 people · 4th most distressed in Vermont
American Default Research

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Caledonia County, VT falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.6 — 2215th 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 Vermont, it ranks 4th of 14 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Caledonia County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 73.7 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 73.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 79
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 86
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 80
Homeownership Rate 28
Structural Poverty 53.5
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 54
Income vs. State Median 79
Child Poverty Rate 40
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Economic Vitality 51.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 55
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 64
Consumer Credit Distress 23.4
Debt in Collections 25
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 31
Legal Distress 1.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Caledonia County
Caledonia County, VT 39.6 Normal —
Orleans County, VT 40.9 Normal +1.3
Essex County, VT 35.4 Normal -4.2
Grafton County, NH 34.0 Healthy -5.6
Orange County, VT 33.2 Healthy -6.4
Lamoille County, VT 28.6 Healthy -11.0
Washington County, VT 27.5 Healthy -12.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Caledonia County
Jerome County, ID 39.6 Normal -0.0
Benton County, MN 39.6 Normal +0.0
Defiance County, OH 39.6 Normal +0.0
Shelby County, KY 39.5 Normal -0.1
Douglas County, WA 39.7 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Caledonia County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Caledonia County.

GILMAN HOUSING TRUST, INC. DBA RURALEDGE
St Johnsbury
802-535-3555 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/Rehab

See all counselors in Vermont →

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 Caledonia 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 →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Caledonia County has a County Distress Index score of 39.6 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,215th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 4th in Vermont out of 14 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Caledonia County?

    The primary driver of distress in Caledonia County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 73.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Caledonia County compare to neighboring counties?

    Caledonia County (39.6) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Orleans County, VT (40.9); Essex County, VT (35.4); Grafton County, NH (34.0).

  • 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). Caledonia County's score of 39.6 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Caledonia 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 Caledonia County?

    Caledonia County, Vermont has a population of approximately 30,610 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.