Pennsylvania Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Pennsylvania and its 67 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 Pennsylvania? See your options under Pennsylvania law →
Pennsylvania ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 52 means it is more distressed than 52% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 67 counties.
How Does Pennsylvania Compare With the U.S.?
Pennsylvania is above the U.S. figure on 1 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: mortgage delinquency (1.10%). Credit card delinquency is 12.3%, 0.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $50,360, $12,840 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Pennsylvania is up 4.3 percentage points from 8% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 15.9% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Pennsylvania
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Pennsylvania has eased from the 18th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 25th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 64 to 52 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. Pennsylvania's State Distress Index of 52 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Pennsylvania 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)Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania (#25) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | 52 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| West Virginia | 56 | moderate state distress | Delinquency |
| Arkansas | 54 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Tennessee | 50 | moderate 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 | 8.0% | 12.3% | +4.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.4% | 4.8% | +0.4 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.13% | 1.10% | −0.03 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $43,440 | $50,360 | +15.9% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,260 | $3,950 | +21.2% | $4,350 |
Pennsylvania Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Pennsylvania mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
Pennsylvania is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state. All residential mortgage foreclosures must proceed through the Court of Common Pleas. There is no non-judicial power-of-sale mechanism for residential mortgages in Pennsylvania.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to one hour before bidding starts at the Sheriff's Sale, after the Act 6 Notice has been given (41 P.S. § 404(a)). The right continues after the foreclosure complaint is filed. Three times in any calendar year (41 P.S. § 404(a)). A fourth cure in the same calendar year is not a statutory right.
How Pennsylvania Sits Among the States
Pennsylvania's credit card delinquency rate is 12.3%, 0.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #15 of 51. 1 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 52 (moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Pennsylvania on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Pennsylvania's 67 counties average 40.6: on average, Pennsylvania's counties are more distressed than 40% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County | 92 | extreme county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Fayette County | 85 | very high county distress | Labor |
| Monroe County | 81 | very high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Luzerne County | 73 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Greene County | 66 | moderate-high county distress | Delinquency |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester County | 3 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Butler County | 9 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montgomery County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Union County | 11 | very low county distress | Labor |
| Bucks County | 12 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Pennsylvania is Philadelphia County (92, extreme county distress); the least distressed is Chester County (3, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 67 Pennsylvania counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Pennsylvania
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 15,983 mortgage complaints from Pennsylvania since 2012, 123.3 per 100,000 residents, 11.7 below the U.S. rate of 135. Pennsylvania ranks #20 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 812 | 987 | 849 | 879 | 880 | 849 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Pennsylvania
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. Pennsylvania's rate of 107.7 is 61.4 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: Pennsylvania
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 12.8% of people with a credit file in Pennsylvania have debt in collections, 1.1 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 15.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 36.8% 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: Pennsylvania
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: Pennsylvania
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. Pennsylvania scores 45.9 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #20 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 Pennsylvania?
The credit card delinquency rate in Pennsylvania is 12.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #15 among the 51 states and DC, 0.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 4.3 percentage points from 8% in Q4 2019.
How does Pennsylvania's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $50,360 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Pennsylvania, $12,840 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 15.9% higher than in Q4 2019. Pennsylvania ranks #35 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Pennsylvania?
Auto loan delinquency in Pennsylvania is 4.8% as of Q4 2025, 0.4 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #25 of 51. The rate is up from 4.4% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Pennsylvania use?
Pennsylvania mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our Pennsylvania foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Pennsylvania's State Distress Index score?
Pennsylvania scores 52 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 52% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #25 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 Pennsylvania?
The CFPB has received 15,983 mortgage complaints from Pennsylvania since 2012, 123.3 per 100,000 residents, 11.7 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #20 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of Pennsylvania complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania had 13,965 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 107.7 per 100,000 residents, 61.4 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #34 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 54.3% and Chapter 13 for 44.1%. That is 13.9% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Pennsylvania have debt in collections?
12.8% of people with a credit file in Pennsylvania have debt in collections, 1.1 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #25 of 51. 15.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1 percentage point 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 Pennsylvania?
1,714,398 residents of Pennsylvania received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 13.2%, 2.4 percentage points above the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #9 of 51. That is 11.7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.1 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Pennsylvania's financial safety net?
Pennsylvania scores 45.9 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #20 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (19.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (13.2%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which Pennsylvania counties have the highest financial distress?
Philadelphia County is the most distressed county in Pennsylvania with a County Distress Index score of 92 · extreme county distress. Fayette County (85 · very high county distress), Monroe County (81 · very high county distress), Luzerne County (73 · high county distress) are next. Chester County is the least distressed at 3 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 67 counties at /counties/pennsylvania/.
How long can foreclosure take in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Up to one hour before bidding starts at the Sheriff's Sale, after the Act 6 Notice has been given (41 P.S. § 404(a)). The right continues after the foreclosure complaint is filed. Three times in any calendar year (41 P.S. § 404(a)). A fourth cure in the same calendar year is not a statutory right. Homestead exemption: $300 (general monetary exemption). Full details at /help/foreclosure/pennsylvania/.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for financial distress?
Pennsylvania scores 52 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 52% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions, in the middle fifth. 1 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 #20 (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.
Pennsylvania 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.