Kitsap County, Washington

County Distress Index: Normal · 38.9 | 277,658 people · 24th most distressed in Washington
American Default Research

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Kitsap County, WA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 38.9 — 2266th 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 24th of 39 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Kitsap County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 84.9 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 84.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 92
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 80
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 99
Homeownership Rate 70
Economic Vitality 76.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 90
Rent-to-Income Ratio 78
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 63
Legal Distress 42.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 42
Structural Poverty 23.6
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 11
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 10
Disability Rate 37
Transfer Income Dependency 15
Consumer Credit Distress 14.0
Debt in Collections 12
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 14
Credit Card Delinquency 15
Uninsured Rate 21
Subprime Credit Population 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Kitsap County
Kitsap County, WA 38.9 Normal —
Pierce County, WA 51.2 Elevated +12.3
Snohomish County, WA 41.0 Normal +2.1
Mason County, WA 38.4 Normal -0.4
Island County, WA 34.3 Healthy -4.6
King County, WA 31.4 Healthy -7.5
Jefferson County, WA 27.2 Healthy -11.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Kitsap County
Frederick County, MD 38.8 Normal -0.1
Union County, NC 39.1 Normal +0.3
Monmouth County, NJ 39.3 Normal +0.4
Washington County, OR 39.6 Normal +0.7
Anoka County, MN 38.2 Normal -0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Kitsap County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Kitsap County.

AMERICAN FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS
BREMERTON
888-864-8699 Website
Foreclosure PreventionPre-PurchaseReverse Mortgage
COMMUNITY FRAMEWORKS
BREMERTON
360-842-8059 Website
Home Improvement/RehabPost-PurchasePre-PurchaseHomebuyer Education

See all counselors in Washington →

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 Kitsap 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 Kitsap County, Washington?

    Kitsap County has a County Distress Index score of 38.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,266th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in Washington out of 39 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Kitsap County?

    The primary driver of distress in Kitsap County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 84.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Kitsap County compare to neighboring counties?

    Kitsap County (38.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Pierce County, WA (51.2); Snohomish County, WA (41.0); Mason County, WA (38.4).

  • 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 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). Kitsap County's score of 38.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Kitsap 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 Kitsap County?

    Kitsap County, Washington has a population of approximately 277,658 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.