District of Columbia Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for District of Columbia and its 1 county, 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 District of Columbia? See your options under District of Columbia law →
District of Columbia ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-most distressed fifth: its score of 74 means it is more distressed than 74% of the 50 states and D.C..
How Does District of Columbia Compare With the U.S.?
District of Columbia is above the U.S. figure on 4 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (13.6%), mortgage delinquency (1.01%), total debt per adult with a credit file ($102,400) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($5,500). Credit card delinquency is 11.2%, 1.2 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $102,400, $39,200 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in District of Columbia is up 4.7 percentage points from 6.5% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 15.8% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: District of Columbia
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, District of Columbia has eased from the 12th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 24th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 78 to 54 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. District of Columbia's State Distress Index of 74 (high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
District of Columbia 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)District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia (#14) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 74 | high state distress | Labor |
| Connecticut | 78 | high state distress | Labor |
| Arizona | 76 | high state distress | Labor |
| Alabama | 72 | high state distress | Default & Legal |
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 | 6.5% | 11.2% | +4.7 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 9.8% | 13.6% | +3.8 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.75% | 1.01% | +0.26 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $88,450 | $102,400 | +15.8% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $4,420 | $5,500 | +24.4% | $4,350 |
District of Columbia Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. District of Columbia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
DC uses non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale under DC Code § 42-815 et seq. The deed of trust conveys legal title to a trustee who holds the power of sale. Since the 2011 Saving D.C.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to 5 business days before the commencement of bidding at the trustee's sale. You may cure the default by paying all sums required to bring the account current (excluding acceleration amounts), performing other obligations, and paying reasonable foreclosure expenses (advertising, trustee fees, attorney fees). Cure restores the borrower to the same position as if the default had not occurred. No more than once in any 2 consecutive calendar years.
Non-Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia foreclosure guide lists the steps and deadlines.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in District of Columbia on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. District of Columbia has one county-equivalent, and it is more distressed than 58% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 58 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | 58 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
CFPB Mortgage Complaints in District of Columbia
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,369 mortgage complaints from District of Columbia since 2012, 348.9 per 100,000 residents, 213.9 above the U.S. rate of 135. District of Columbia ranks #1 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 149 | 169 | 114 | 133 | 144 | 108 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: District of Columbia
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. District of Columbia's rate of 91.0 is 78.1 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: District of Columbia
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 8.2% of people with a credit file in District of Columbia have debt in collections, 5.7 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 18.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 38.7% 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: District of Columbia
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: District of Columbia
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. District of Columbia scores 74.3 out of 100 (Strong), ranking #4 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 District of Columbia?
The credit card delinquency rate in District of Columbia is 11.2% as of Q4 2025, ranking #28 among the 51 states and DC, 1.2 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.7 percentage points from 6.5% in Q4 2019.
How does District of Columbia's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $102,400 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in District of Columbia, $39,200 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 15.8% higher than in Q4 2019. District of Columbia ranks #1 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in District of Columbia?
Auto loan delinquency in District of Columbia is 13.6% as of Q4 2025, 8.4 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #1 of 51. The rate is up from 9.8% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does District of Columbia use?
District of Columbia mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our District of Columbia foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is District of Columbia's State Distress Index score?
District of Columbia scores 74 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 74% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-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 District of Columbia?
The CFPB has received 2,369 mortgage complaints from District of Columbia since 2012, 348.9 per 100,000 residents, 213.9 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #1 of 51. Companies responded to 98.5% of District of Columbia complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia had 618 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 91.0 per 100,000 residents, 78.1 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #40 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 64.6% and Chapter 13 for 21.5%. That is 40.8% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in District of Columbia have debt in collections?
8.2% of people with a credit file in District of Columbia have debt in collections, 5.7 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #49 of 51. 18.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1.8 percentage points above 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 District of Columbia?
131,767 residents of District of Columbia received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 19.4%, 8.6 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #2 of 51. That is 6.4% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 3.3 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is District of Columbia's financial safety net?
District of Columbia scores 74.3 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #4 of 51 (Strong). The score combines Medicaid coverage (25.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (19.4%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which District of Columbia counties have the highest financial distress?
District of Columbia has one county-equivalent. Its County Distress Index score is 58 · moderate county distress. See the county at /counties/district-of-columbia/.
How long can foreclosure take in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia 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: Up to 5 business days before the commencement of bidding at the trustee's sale. You may cure the default by paying all sums required to bring the account current (excluding acceleration amounts), performing other obligations, and paying reasonable foreclosure expenses (advertising, trustee fees, attorney fees). Cure restores the borrower to the same position as if the default had not occurred. No more than once in any 2 consecutive calendar years. Homestead exemption: No fixed dollar cap — protects the debtor's aggregate interest in real property used as a residence. Does NOT protect against mortgage foreclosure, deeds of trust, mechanic's liens, or tax liens. Full details at /help/foreclosure/district-of-columbia/.
Where does District of Columbia rank for financial distress?
District of Columbia scores 74 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), which means it is more distressed than 74% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #14 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-most distressed fifth. 4 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure. The State Distress Index domain with the highest score is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #4 (Strong).
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.
District of Columbia Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-14.
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.