Indiana Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 92 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Indiana? See your options under Indiana law →
Indiana ranks #33 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 92 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Indiana Compare to the National Average?
Indiana is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.7% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 6.3%, and total debt per capita at $49,330.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Indiana has risen 4.7pp and total household debt has grown 24.7%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Indiana
Domain Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005. Indiana's State Distress Index of 44.2 (Second-least distressed fifth) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, labor, and the safety-net buffer.
Indiana vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Indiana vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Indiana (#33) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Quintile | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 44.2 | Second-least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Washington | 47.1 | Middle fifth | Labor |
| Massachusetts | 45.5 | Second-least distressed fifth | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Virginia | 40.9 | Second-least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 7.0% | 11.7% | +4.7pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.2% | 6.3% | +1.1pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.03% | 1.10% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $39,570 | $49,330 | +24.7% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,700 | $3,410 | +26.3% | $4,350 |
Indiana Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Indiana primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Indiana is a judicial foreclosure state. All residential mortgage foreclosures must proceed through the court system under IC 32-30-10 et seq. — there is no statutory non-judicial (power of sale) foreclosure available for residential mortgages in Ind…
- Post-sale redemption: Indiana provides a 3-month (90-day) right of redemption after the Sheriff's sale…
State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Indiana's credit card delinquency of 11.7% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. With 2 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and a Distress Index of 44.2 (Second-least distressed fifth), the pressure on Indiana households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Indiana on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Indiana's 92 counties average 41.0 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Distress Fifth Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Howard County | 69.8 | Most distressed fifth | Labor |
| Lake County | 69.8 | Most distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Marion County | 65.8 | Second-most distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Vigo County | 65.0 | Second-most distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Delaware County | 64.5 | Second-most distressed fifth | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Howard County ranks #478 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Distress Fifth | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton County | 15.7 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Dubois County | 18.0 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| Boone County | 18.4 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
| LaGrange County | 18.5 | Least distressed fifth | Delinquency |
| Spencer County | 19.8 | Least distressed fifth | Default & Legal |
The gap between Indiana's most and least distressed counties is 54.1 points — Howard County (69.8, Most distressed fifth) vs. Hamilton County (15.7, Least distressed fifth). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 92 Indiana counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Indiana
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 4,366 mortgage complaints from Indiana since 2012 — 63.6 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. Indiana ranks #42 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 275 | 241 | 251 | 294 | 293 | 277 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Indiana
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. Indiana's filing rate exceeds the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Indiana
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 14.3% of Indiana residents have debt in collections — above the national rate of 13.9%. 17.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 39.1% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Indiana
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Indiana
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. Indiana scores 51.1 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #24 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Indiana?
The credit card delinquency rate in Indiana is 11.7% as of Q4 2025, ranking #20 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 7.0% in 2019.
How does Indiana's household debt compare to the national average?
Indiana residents carry $49,330 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 24.7% since 2019. Indiana ranks #38 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Indiana?
Auto loan delinquency in Indiana stands at 6.3% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #6 nationally. The rate has risen from 5.2% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Indiana use?
Indiana primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Indiana foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Indiana above or below the national average for financial distress?
Indiana scores 44.2 on the State Distress Index (Second-least distressed fifth), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 5.8 points below the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, labor, and safety net and buffer. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 44.6 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 45% of their own quarterly histories since 2005.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Indiana?
The CFPB has received 4,366 mortgage complaints from Indiana since 2012, a rate of 63.6 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #42 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.1% of Indiana complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Indiana?
Indiana had 18,210 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 263.5 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #7 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 56.2% and Chapter 13 for 43.4%. Filings changed +14.4% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Indiana have debt in collections?
14.3% of individuals in Indiana have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #20 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 17.4% of Indiana residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Indiana?
530,190 residents of Indiana receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 7.7% — below the national rate of 11.2%. This ranks #40 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -11.2% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 8.2%.
How strong is Indiana's financial safety net?
Indiana scores 51.1 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #24 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (20.1% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (7.7%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 48.1.
Which Indiana counties have the highest financial distress?
Howard County is the most distressed county in Indiana with a County Distress Index score of 69.8 (Most distressed fifth), ranking #478 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Lake County (69.8), Marion County (65.8), Vigo County (65.0) round out the top distressed counties. Hamilton County is the least distressed at 15.7 (Least distressed fifth). See all 92 counties at /counties/indiana/.
How long can foreclosure take in Indiana?
Indiana uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Indiana, the bank can foreclose in roughly 210–300 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: The borrower may cure the default (pay all past-due amounts plus fees) at any ti…. The homestead exemption is $19,300. Full details at /help/foreclosure/indiana/.
Where does Indiana rank for financial distress?
Indiana scores 44.2 on the State Distress Index (Second-least distressed fifth), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #24 (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. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Indiana Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-10.
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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.