New Hampshire Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for New Hampshire and its 10 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 New Hampshire? See your options under New Hampshire law →
New Hampshire ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the least distressed fifth: its score of 4 means it is more distressed than 4% of the 50 states and D.C..
How Does New Hampshire Compare With the U.S.?
New Hampshire is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: total debt per adult with a credit file ($66,480) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,500). Credit card delinquency is 9.8%, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $66,480, $3,280 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in New Hampshire is up 3.2 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 17.4% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: New Hampshire
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, New Hampshire has held near the same place: the 46th-most distressed jurisdiction then, the 45th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score was little changed, 10 then and 12 now.
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. New Hampshire's State Distress Index of 4 (exceptionally low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
New Hampshire 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)New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire (#49) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire | 4 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montana | 8 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Vermont | 6 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| South Dakota | 2 | exceptionally low state distress | Delinquency |
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 | 6.6% | 9.8% | +3.2 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.9% | 3.0% | +0.1 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.70% | 0.61% | −0.09 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $56,640 | $66,480 | +17.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,630 | $4,500 | +24% | $4,350 |
New Hampshire Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. New Hampshire mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
New Hampshire has two foreclosure tracks: (1) non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale under RSA 479:25 et seq. — the dominant method, available when the mortgage contains a power of sale clause (standard in virtually all modern residential mortgage…
Full New Hampshire foreclosure law guide →How New Hampshire Sits Among the States
New Hampshire's credit card delinquency rate is 9.8%, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #38 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 4 (exceptionally low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in New Hampshire on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. New Hampshire's 10 counties average 20.3: on average, New Hampshire's counties are more distressed than 20% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coos County | 48 | moderate-low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Sullivan County | 25 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Strafford County | 24 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Belknap County | 21 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Cheshire County | 21 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rockingham County | 8 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Grafton County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Merrimack County | 12 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Carroll County | 13 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Hillsborough County | 19 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in New Hampshire is Coos County (48, moderate-low county distress); the least distressed is Rockingham County (8, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 10 New Hampshire counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in New Hampshire
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,360 mortgage complaints from New Hampshire since 2012, 168.3 per 100,000 residents, 33.3 above the U.S. rate of 135. New Hampshire ranks #8 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 103 | 99 | 111 | 69 | 59 | 98 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: New Hampshire
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. New Hampshire's rate of 66.7 is 102.4 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: New Hampshire
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 9.2% of people with a credit file in New Hampshire have debt in collections, 4.7 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 11.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 28.2% 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: New Hampshire
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: New Hampshire
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. New Hampshire scores 8.3 out of 100 (Minimal), ranking #51 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 New Hampshire?
The credit card delinquency rate in New Hampshire is 9.8% as of Q4 2025, ranking #38 among the 51 states and DC, 2.6 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.2 percentage points from 6.6% in Q4 2019.
How does New Hampshire's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $66,480 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in New Hampshire, $3,280 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 17.4% higher than in Q4 2019. New Hampshire ranks #17 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in New Hampshire?
Auto loan delinquency in New Hampshire is 3.0% as of Q4 2025, 2.2 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #45 of 51. The rate is up from 2.9% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does New Hampshire use?
New Hampshire mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our New Hampshire foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is New Hampshire's State Distress Index score?
New Hampshire scores 4 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 4% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least 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 New Hampshire?
The CFPB has received 2,360 mortgage complaints from New Hampshire since 2012, 168.3 per 100,000 residents, 33.3 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #8 of 51. Companies responded to 98.3% of New Hampshire complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire had 935 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 66.7 per 100,000 residents, 102.4 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #48 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 70.4% and Chapter 13 for 27.7%. That is 9.1% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in New Hampshire have debt in collections?
9.2% of people with a credit file in New Hampshire have debt in collections, 4.7 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #44 of 51. 11.4% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 5.5 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 New Hampshire?
72,932 residents of New Hampshire received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 5.2%, 5.6 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #49 of 51. That is 3.4% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.1 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is New Hampshire's financial safety net?
New Hampshire scores 8.3 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #51 of 51 (Minimal). The score combines Medicaid coverage (11.6% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (5.2%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which New Hampshire counties have the highest financial distress?
Coos County is the most distressed county in New Hampshire with a County Distress Index score of 48 · moderate-low county distress. Sullivan County (25 · low county distress), Strafford County (24 · low county distress), Belknap County (21 · low county distress) are next. Rockingham County is the least distressed at 8 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 10 counties at /counties/new-hampshire/.
How long can foreclosure take in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. In New Hampshire, foreclosures that finished in the second quarter of 2026 took an average of 157 days from the start of the foreclosure process to completion, according to ATTOM. Individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs and bankruptcy filings. Homestead exemption: $400,000. Protects up to $400,000 of your interest in a home you have used as your primary residence for the previous 12 months from most creditors; homestead exemptions claimed together total no more than $550,000 (RSA 480:1). Does NOT stop mortgage foreclosure. Full details at /help/foreclosure/new-hampshire/.
Where does New Hampshire rank for financial distress?
New Hampshire scores 4 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 4% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. 2 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 #51 (Minimal).
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.
New Hampshire 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 (latest month), and state foreclosure legal protections.