New Jersey Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for New Jersey and its 21 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 Jersey? See your options under New Jersey law →
New Jersey ranks #22 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 58 means it is more distressed than 58% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 21 counties.
How Does New Jersey Compare With the U.S.?
New Jersey is above the U.S. figure on 3 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: mortgage delinquency (1.12%), total debt per adult with a credit file ($69,550) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($5,160). Credit card delinquency is 11.4%, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $69,550, $6,350 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in New Jersey is up 3.9 percentage points from 7.5% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 17.7% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: New Jersey
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, New Jersey has climbed from the 29th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 15th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score rose from 44 to 72 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. New Jersey's State Distress Index of 58 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
New Jersey 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 Jersey 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 Jersey (#22) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Jersey | 58 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Oregon | 62 | moderate-high state distress | Labor |
| Oklahoma | 60 | moderate-high state distress | Delinquency |
| West Virginia | 56 | moderate 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 | 7.5% | 11.4% | +3.9 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.9% | 4.2% | +0.3 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.73% | 1.12% | −0.61 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $59,100 | $69,550 | +17.7% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $4,170 | $5,160 | +23.7% | $4,350 |
New Jersey Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. New Jersey mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
New Jersey is an exclusively judicial foreclosure state. All mortgage foreclosures must be filed in the Superior Court, Chancery Division. Non-judicial (power of sale) foreclosure is NOT available for residential mortgages in New Jersey.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to the entry of final judgment, or the entry of an order of redemption where one is entered. Once every 18 months for a particular mortgage, counted from the date of cure and reinstatement; the limit does not apply when the default is cured by the date given in the notice of intention to foreclose.
- Post-sale redemption: 10 days after the sheriff's sale or until the deed is delivered; a court hearing can extend it in some cases
- foreclosure rescue fraud
Judicial Foreclosure and Above-U.S. Delinquency
3 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures in New Jersey are above the U.S. figure. New Jersey mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts, so a lender needs a court order before a sale. Credit card delinquency is 11.4% (#24 of 51), and New Jersey ranks #22 of 51 on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in New Jersey on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. New Jersey's 21 counties average 48.8: on average, New Jersey's counties are more distressed than 48% of U.S. counties. Across all 3,144 counties the average is 50.0, the middle of the scale.
Score Label Distribution
Loading interactive map…
Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cumberland County | 93 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Essex County | 84 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Salem County | 79 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Atlantic County | 78 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Passaic County | 75 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Morris County | 8 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Hunterdon County | 11 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Somerset County | 19 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Monmouth County | 24 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bergen County | 26 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in New Jersey is Cumberland County (93, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Morris County (8, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 21 New Jersey counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in New Jersey
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 20,267 mortgage complaints from New Jersey since 2012, 218.1 per 100,000 residents, 83.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. New Jersey ranks #3 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 1,080 | 1,183 | 1,012 | 840 | 761 | 819 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: New Jersey
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 Jersey's rate of 152.5 is 16.6 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 Jersey
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 10.0% of people with a credit file in New Jersey have debt in collections, 3.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 14.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 34.2% 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 Jersey
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 Jersey
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 Jersey scores 43.2 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #24 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 Jersey?
The credit card delinquency rate in New Jersey is 11.4% as of Q4 2025, ranking #24 among the 51 states and DC, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.9 percentage points from 7.5% in Q4 2019.
How does New Jersey's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $69,550 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in New Jersey, $6,350 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 17.7% higher than in Q4 2019. New Jersey ranks #13 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in New Jersey?
Auto loan delinquency in New Jersey is 4.2% as of Q4 2025, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #29 of 51. The rate is up from 3.9% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does New Jersey use?
New Jersey mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our New Jersey foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is New Jersey's State Distress Index score?
New Jersey scores 58 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 58% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #22 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle 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 Jersey?
The CFPB has received 20,267 mortgage complaints from New Jersey since 2012, 218.1 per 100,000 residents, 83.1 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #3 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of New Jersey complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in New Jersey?
New Jersey had 14,171 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 152.5 per 100,000 residents, 16.6 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #24 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 60.5% and Chapter 13 for 36.2%. That is 4.9% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in New Jersey have debt in collections?
10.0% of people with a credit file in New Jersey have debt in collections, 3.9 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #38 of 51. 14.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 2.2 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 Jersey?
754,543 residents of New Jersey received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 8.0%, 2.8 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #37 of 51. That is 8.1% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.9 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is New Jersey's financial safety net?
New Jersey scores 43.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #24 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (17.1% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (8%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which New Jersey counties have the highest financial distress?
Cumberland County is the most distressed county in New Jersey with a County Distress Index score of 93 · extreme county distress. Essex County (84 · very high county distress), Salem County (79 · high county distress), Atlantic County (78 · high county distress) are next. Morris County is the least distressed at 8 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 21 counties at /counties/new-jersey/.
How long can foreclosure take in New Jersey?
New Jersey mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to the entry of final judgment, or the entry of an order of redemption where one is entered. Once every 18 months for a particular mortgage, counted from the date of cure and reinstatement; the limit does not apply when the default is cured by the date given in the notice of intention to foreclose. Homestead exemption: None for most homeowners; no value limit for veterans, service members and military spouses (N.J.S.A. 2A:17-17.4). Full details at /help/foreclosure/new-jersey/.
Where does New Jersey rank for financial distress?
New Jersey scores 58 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 58% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #22 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle 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 #24 (Weak).
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 Jersey 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.