Ohio Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Ohio and its 88 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 Ohio? See your options under Ohio law →
Ohio ranks #27 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 48 means it is more distressed than 48% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 88 counties.
How Does Ohio Compare With the U.S.?
Ohio is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: auto loan delinquency (5.3%) and mortgage delinquency (0.96%). Credit card delinquency is 11.1%, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $46,780, $16,420 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Ohio is up 3.7 percentage points from 7.4% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 18.6% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Ohio
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Ohio has eased from the 3rd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 13th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 96 to 76 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. Ohio's State Distress Index of 48 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Ohio 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)Ohio 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 Ohio (#27) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 48 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Pennsylvania | 52 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Tennessee | 50 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| North Carolina | 46 | moderate-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 | 7.4% | 11.1% | +3.7 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.6% | 5.3% | +0.7 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.92% | 0.96% | +0.04 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $39,450 | $46,780 | +18.6% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $2,890 | $3,560 | +23.2% | $4,350 |
Ohio Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Ohio mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
Ohio is exclusively judicial. Non-judicial (power of sale) foreclosure is not permitted for residential mortgages. Every case must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas where the property sits. Ohio uses mortgages, not deeds of trust.
- Post-sale redemption: At any time before confirmation of sale (equity of redemption) — requires payment of full judgment amount plus interest and costs, not just arrears
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
How Ohio Sits Among the States
Ohio's credit card delinquency rate is 11.1%, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #29 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 48 (moderate-low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Ohio on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Ohio's 88 counties average 47.3: on average, Ohio's counties are more distressed than 47% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scioto County | 91 | extreme county distress | Labor |
| Pike County | 89 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Adams County | 88 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Jackson County | 87 | very high county distress | Delinquency |
| Mahoning County | 81 | very high county distress | Default & Legal |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mercer County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Delaware County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Putnam County | 1 | exceptionally low county distress | Delinquency |
| Geauga County | 2 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Union County | 3 | exceptionally low county distress | Default & Legal |
The most distressed county in Ohio is Scioto County (91, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Mercer County (1, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 88 Ohio counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Ohio
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 11,792 mortgage complaints from Ohio since 2012, 100.1 per 100,000 residents, 34.9 below the U.S. rate of 135. Ohio ranks #28 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 511 | 632 | 602 | 592 | 487 | 610 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Ohio
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. Ohio's rate of 221.6 is 52.5 above 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: Ohio
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 15.5% of people with a credit file in Ohio have debt in collections, 1.6 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. 17.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 39.5% 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: Ohio
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: Ohio
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. Ohio scores 38 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #36 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 Ohio?
The credit card delinquency rate in Ohio is 11.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #29 among the 51 states and DC, 1.3 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.7 percentage points from 7.4% in Q4 2019.
How does Ohio's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $46,780 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Ohio, $16,420 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 18.6% higher than in Q4 2019. Ohio ranks #45 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Ohio?
Auto loan delinquency in Ohio is 5.3% as of Q4 2025, 0.1 percentage points above the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #22 of 51. The rate is up from 4.6% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Ohio use?
Ohio mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our Ohio foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Ohio's State Distress Index score?
Ohio scores 48 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 48% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #27 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 Ohio?
The CFPB has received 11,792 mortgage complaints from Ohio since 2012, 100.1 per 100,000 residents, 34.9 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #28 of 51. Companies responded to 98.3% of Ohio complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Ohio?
Ohio had 26,110 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 221.6 per 100,000 residents, 52.5 above the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #13 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 76.2% and Chapter 13 for 23.5%. That is 11.4% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Ohio have debt in collections?
15.5% of people with a credit file in Ohio have debt in collections, 1.6 percentage points above the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #17 of 51. 17.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 0.4 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 Ohio?
1,317,208 residents of Ohio received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 11.2%, 0.4 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #17 of 51. That is 8.3% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.5 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Ohio's financial safety net?
Ohio scores 38 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #36 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (20% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (11.2%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Ohio counties have the highest financial distress?
Scioto County is the most distressed county in Ohio with a County Distress Index score of 91 · extreme county distress. Pike County (89 · very high county distress), Adams County (88 · very high county distress), Jackson County (87 · very high county distress) are next. Mercer County is the least distressed at 1 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 88 counties at /counties/ohio/.
How long can foreclosure take in Ohio?
Ohio mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $182,625 per debtor (since April 1, 2025). Full details at /help/foreclosure/ohio/.
Where does Ohio rank for financial distress?
Ohio scores 48 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 48% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #27 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle 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 Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #36 (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.
Ohio 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.