Washington County, Vermont

County Distress Index: Healthy · 27.5 | 60,142 people · 13th most distressed in Vermont
American Default Research

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Washington County, VT ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 27.5 — 2869th 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 13th of 14 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

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 70.1 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 70.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 65
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 57
Economic Vitality 51.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 60
Rent-to-Income Ratio 60
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 24
Structural Poverty 19.6
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 30
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 35
Transfer Income Dependency 21
Consumer Credit Distress 8.4
Debt in Collections 13
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 6
Credit Card Delinquency 10
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 8
Legal Distress 5.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, VT 27.5 Healthy —
Caledonia County, VT 39.6 Normal +12.1
Orange County, VT 33.2 Healthy +5.7
Chittenden County, VT 32.2 Healthy +4.7
Lamoille County, VT 28.6 Healthy +1.1
Addison County, VT 26.7 Healthy -0.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Chippewa County, WI 27.4 Healthy -0.1
Columbia County, WI 27.4 Healthy -0.1
Portage County, WI 27.9 Healthy +0.4
Otter Tail County, MN 26.8 Healthy -0.7
Burleigh County, ND 26.8 Healthy -0.7

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.

DOWNSTREET HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, INC.
Barre
802-477-1331 Website
Pre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

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 Washington 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 Washington County, Vermont?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 27.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,869th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Vermont out of 14 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 70.1 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 (27.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Caledonia County, VT (39.6); Orange County, VT (33.2); Chittenden County, VT (32.2).

  • 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 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). Washington County's score of 27.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

  • 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, Vermont has a population of approximately 60,142 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.