California Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for California and its 58 counties, from federal sources, each shown beside the U.S. figure.
· Data from Federal Reserve Bank of New York, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in California? See your options under California law →
California ranks #10 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the most distressed fifth: its score of 82 means it is more distressed than 82% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 58 counties.
How Does California Compare With the U.S.?
California is above the U.S. figure on 3 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: credit card delinquency (13.2%), total debt per adult with a credit file ($87,850) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($5,000). Credit card delinquency is 13.2%, 0.8 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $87,850, $24,650 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in California is up 4.5 percentage points from 8.7% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 19.7% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: California
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, California has climbed from the 22nd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 10th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score rose from 58 to 82 over the same span.
Quarter-aligned back-series. Each quarter re-ranks all 51 jurisdictions on that quarter's own data, so a state's position here can sit several spots from the current reading above, which uses each input's latest value.
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical). The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005. California's State Distress Index of 82 (very high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
California and the U.S.
Delinquency rates measure balances 90 or more days past due as a share of total balances in each loan category. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per adult with a credit file, not per resident.
Download all states (CSV)California and the U.S.: 5 Household Debt Measures (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
The states ranked closest to California (#10) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 82 | very high state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| South Carolina | 86 | very high state distress | Delinquency |
| Delaware | 84 | very high state distress | Labor |
| New Mexico | 80 | very high state distress | Labor |
Change Since 2019
Q4 2019, the last fourth quarter before the pandemic, is the baseline. Credit card delinquency is higher than in Q4 2019 in 51 of 51 jurisdictions, and auto loan delinquency is higher in 33.
| Metric | Q4 2019 | Q4 2025 | Change | U.S. Q4 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 8.7% | 13.2% | +4.5 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.9% | 4.8% | −0.1 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.58% | 0.63% | +0.05 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $73,400 | $87,850 | +19.7% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,810 | $5,000 | +31.2% | $4,350 |
California Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. California mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
California allows non-judicial foreclosure by trustee's sale under a deed of trust's power of sale (Cal. Civ. Code 2924-2924k) and judicial foreclosure (CCP 725a-730a).
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: From the date the Notice of Default is recorded until 5 business days before the sale date in the recorded notice of sale. During this period, the borrower may cure the default by paying all amounts past due plus allowable costs and fees. If a new notice of sale is recorded, or the sale is postponed by more than 5 business days, the right revives until 5 business days before the new sale date. Cal. Civ. Code 2924c allows the borrower to cure the default and reinstate the loan when its conditions are met.
- Post-sale redemption: Non-judicial trustee sale: NO post-sale redemption right. Judicial foreclosure: statutory right of redemption when a deficiency judgment is not waived or prohibited — 3 months if the court determines the sale proceeds were sufficient to satisfy the indebtedness plus costs, OR 1 year if the sale proceeds were insufficient. If a deficiency judgment is waived or prohibited, the property is sold with no right of redemption. As a practical matter, because most California foreclosures are non-judicial, the post-sale redemption right is rarely relevant.
- California Homeowner Bill of Rights (HBOR) — Single Point of Contact
- HBOR — Verified Written Authority (Robo-Signing Prohibition)
- HBOR — Private Right of Action with Treble Damages
Non-Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in California are above the U.S. figure, and the state mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. A HUD-approved housing counselor can explain the options at no cost; the California foreclosure guide lists the steps and deadlines.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in California on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. California's 58 counties average 56.1: on average, California's counties are more distressed than 56% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake County | 92 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Imperial County | 89 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Kern County | 89 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Merced County | 87 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Tulare County | 86 | very high county distress | Labor |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Clara County | 12 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Mono County | 13 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| San Mateo County | 14 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| San Francisco County | 15 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Marin County | 19 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in California is Lake County (92, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Santa Clara County (12, very low county distress).
Explore all 58 California counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in California
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 71,152 mortgage complaints from California since 2012, 182.6 per 100,000 residents, 47.6 above the U.S. rate of 135. California ranks #7 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 3,836 | 4,085 | 3,065 | 2,651 | 2,692 | 3,008 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: California
The filing rate is bankruptcy cases filed in a year, from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, per 100,000 residents. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. California's rate of 139.8 is 29.3 below the U.S. rate of 169.1.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 U.S. Census Bureau population estimates.
Credit Distress: California
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 10.3% of people with a credit file in California have debt in collections, 3.6 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 14.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 34.1% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. Q1 2025. The U.S. average is weighted by state population (our calculation).
Economic Context: California
SNAP enrollment and unemployment give context for the debt figures above. The unemployment rate measures joblessness among people in the labor force. SNAP enrollment reflects each state's program rules and reach as well as need, which is why it is not part of the State Distress Index.
Sources: U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: California
The Safety Net Index measures how much support infrastructure is available to households in financial distress — combining healthcare coverage, food assistance, emergency housing funds, and legal protections. California scores 54.8 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #9 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, June 2026), state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in California?
The credit card delinquency rate in California is 13.2% as of Q4 2025, ranking #12 among the 51 states and DC, 0.8 percentage points above the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.5 percentage points from 8.7% in Q4 2019.
How does California's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $87,850 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in California, $24,650 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 19.7% higher than in Q4 2019. California ranks #3 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in California?
Auto loan delinquency in California is 4.8% as of Q4 2025, 0.4 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #25 of 51. The rate is down from 4.9% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does California use?
California mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our California foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is California's State Distress Index score?
California scores 82 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 82% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #10 of 51 jurisdictions, in the most distressed fifth. The score is built from 4 equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. It ranks states against each other at one time. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 47.0 (Typical) for the country over time. The composite itself sits higher than 44% of all published quarters since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in California?
The CFPB has received 71,152 mortgage complaints from California since 2012, 182.6 per 100,000 residents, 47.6 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #7 of 51. Companies responded to 98% of California complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in California?
California had 54,492 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 139.8 per 100,000 residents, 29.3 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #28 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 81.7% and Chapter 13 for 16.9%. That is 19% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in California have debt in collections?
10.3% of people with a credit file in California have debt in collections, 3.6 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #36 of 51. 14.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 2.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 16.9%. Data from the Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax), Q1 2025.
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in California?
5,111,720 residents of California received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 13.1%, 2.3 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #10 of 51. That is 6.7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 2.7 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is California's financial safety net?
California scores 54.8 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #9 of 51 (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (27.5% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (13.1%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which California counties have the highest financial distress?
Lake County is the most distressed county in California with a County Distress Index score of 92 · extreme county distress. Imperial County (89 · very high county distress), Kern County (89 · very high county distress), Merced County (87 · very high county distress) are next. Santa Clara County is the least distressed at 12 · very low county distress. See all 58 counties at /counties/california/.
How long can foreclosure take in California?
California mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: From the date the Notice of Default is recorded until 5 business days before the sale date in the recorded notice of sale. During this period, the borrower may cure the default by paying all amounts past due plus allowable costs and fees. If a new notice of sale is recorded, or the sale is postponed by more than 5 business days, the right revives until 5 business days before the new sale date. Cal. Civ. Code 2924c allows the borrower to cure the default and reinstate the loan when its conditions are met. Homestead exemption: The greater of: (1) the countywide median sale price for a single-family home in the calendar year prior to when the exemption is claimed, not to exceed the statutory cap, or (2) the statutory floor. Base amounts (AB 1885, effective January 1, 2021): floor $300,000, cap $600,000. These amounts are adjusted annually for inflation, beginning January 1, 2022, based on the California Consumer Price Index, with each adjusted amount rounded to the nearest $25. Full details at /help/foreclosure/california/.
Where does California rank for financial distress?
California scores 82 on the State Distress Index (very high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 82% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #10 of 51 jurisdictions, in the most distressed fifth. 3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #9 (Moderate).
Data Sources
NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel
State-level household debt and delinquency statistics from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, based on Equifax credit bureau data. Published once a year with fourth-quarter figures.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
California Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-04.
CFPB Complaint Database
Mortgage complaints filed with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, 2012–present. Density calculated using 2024 Census population estimates.
USDA SNAP State Activity
Monthly SNAP participation by state from the USDA Food and Nutrition Service. Enrollment rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
U.S. Bankruptcy Courts
Annual bankruptcy filings by chapter and district from the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts. Per-capita rates computed against 2024 Census population estimates.
Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer
Quarterly credit health metrics (collections, subprime share, delinquency, credit-constrained rates) from Equifax via the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel.
Safety Net Index
Composite score from KFF Medicaid enrollment (2024), USDA SNAP participation (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.