Stevens County, Washington

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.7 | 48,837 people · 30th most distressed in Washington
American Default Research

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Stevens County, WA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.7 — 2495th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Washington, it ranks 30th of 39 counties. Among its 4 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stevens County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 65.9 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 65.9
Unemployment Rate 96
Poverty Rate 37
Income vs. State Median 64
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 71
Transfer Income Dependency 78
Economic Vitality 49.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 55
Rent-to-Income Ratio 40
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 93
Legal Distress 38.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38
Housing Cost Burden 36.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 49
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 23
Consumer Credit Distress 21.4
Debt in Collections 15
Medical Debt 7
Auto Loan Delinquency 31
Credit Card Delinquency 24
Uninsured Rate 37
Subprime Credit Population 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy —
Spokane County, WA 47.7 Normal +13.0
Ferry County, WA 31.6 Healthy -3.1
Pend Oreille County, WA 30.7 Healthy -4.0
Lincoln County, WA 26.4 Healthy -8.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stevens County
Wyandot County, OH 34.7 Healthy +0.0
Gem County, ID 34.7 Healthy +0.0
Lincoln County, WI 34.7 Healthy +0.0
Woodford County, KY 34.6 Healthy -0.0
Alcona County, MI 34.7 Healthy +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stevens County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Stevens County.

RURAL RESOURCES COMMUNITY ACTION
Colville
509-685-6055 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-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 Stevens 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 Stevens County, Washington?

    Stevens County has a County Distress Index score of 34.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,495th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Washington out of 39 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stevens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stevens County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 65.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Stevens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stevens County (34.7) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Spokane County, WA (47.7); Ferry County, WA (31.6); Pend Oreille County, WA (30.7).

  • 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). Stevens County's score of 34.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stevens 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 Stevens County?

    Stevens County, Washington has a population of approximately 48,837 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.