Island County, Washington

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.3 | 86,267 people · 31st most distressed in Washington
American Default Research

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Island County, WA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.3 — 2513th 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 Washington, it ranks 31st of 39 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Island County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 78.8 — worse than roughly 79% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 78.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 94
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 71
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 96
Homeownership Rate 49
Economic Vitality 71.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Legal Distress 34.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 34
Structural Poverty 31.4
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 30
Consumer Credit Distress 7.0
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 8
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Island County
Island County, WA 34.3 Healthy —
Snohomish County, WA 41.0 Normal +6.8
Skagit County, WA 40.0 Normal +5.8
Kitsap County, WA 38.9 Normal +4.6
San Juan County, WA 29.0 Healthy -5.3
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy -7.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Island County
Putnam County, NY 34.3 Healthy +0.1
Eagle County, CO 34.4 Healthy +0.1
Albemarle County, VA 34.4 Healthy +0.1
Lewis and Clark County, MT 34.4 Healthy +0.2
Grafton County, NH 34.0 Healthy -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Island County

Find an Attorney

Washington State Bar Association — Find Legal Help offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Washington State Bar Association — Find Legal Help 1-800-945-9722

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Island County residents at no cost.

Northwest Justice Project (NJP) 1-888-201-1014
Columbia Legal Services 1-206-464-1122

Self-Help Resources

Washington Law Help — Foreclosure Free legal information and self-help resources for low-income Washington residents, including foreclosure guides, tenant rights in foreclosure, and links to legal aid.
Washington Courts Self-Help Resources Washington Courts website with forms, instructions, and resources for self-represented litigants including those involved in foreclosure-related proceedings.
DFI Foreclosure Assistance and Information Department of Financial Institutions page with foreclosure prevention resources, consumer alerts about foreclosure rescue scams, and links to assistance programs.

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 Washington →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Island County has a County Distress Index score of 34.3 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,513th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Washington out of 39 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Island County?

    The primary driver of distress in Island County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 78.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Island County compare to neighboring counties?

    Island County (34.3) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Snohomish County, WA (41.0); Skagit County, WA (40.0); Kitsap County, WA (38.9).

  • 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). Island County's score of 34.3 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Island 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 Island County?

    Island County, Washington has a population of approximately 86,267 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.