Rhode Island Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Rhode Island and its 5 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 Rhode Island? See your options under Rhode Island law →
Rhode Island ranks #30 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the middle fifth: its score of 42 means it is more distressed than 42% of the 50 states and D.C..
How Does Rhode Island Compare With the U.S.?
Rhode Island is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: mortgage delinquency (1.00%) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,490). Credit card delinquency is 11.4%, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $60,090, $3,110 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Rhode Island is up 3.3 percentage points from 8.1% 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: Rhode Island
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Rhode Island has eased from the 23rd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 31st-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 56 to 40 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. Rhode Island's State Distress Index of 42 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Rhode Island 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)Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island (#30) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island | 42 | moderate-low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| North Carolina | 46 | moderate-low state distress | Delinquency |
| Indiana | 44 | moderate-low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Virginia | 40 | moderate-low 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 | 8.1% | 11.4% | +3.3 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.1% | 3.5% | +0.4 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.07% | 1.00% | −0.07 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $51,170 | $60,090 | +17.4% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,540 | $4,490 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Rhode Island Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Rhode Island mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
Rhode Island is a dual-track state. Non-judicial foreclosure by power of sale is the dominant method under R.I. Gen. Laws § 34-27-1 et seq. The statutory power of sale was enacted in 2013 (P.L. 2013, ch. 128) to create a uniform process.
Full Rhode Island foreclosure law guide →How Rhode Island Sits Among the States
Rhode Island's credit card delinquency rate is 11.4%, 1 percentage point below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #24 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 42 (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 Rhode Island on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Rhode Island's 5 counties average 26.8: on average, Rhode Island's counties are more distressed than 26% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 67 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kent County | 32 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Newport County | 15 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bristol County | 7 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol County | 7 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 10 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Newport County | 15 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kent County | 32 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Providence County | 67 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Rhode Island is Providence County (67, moderate-high county distress); the least distressed is Bristol County (7, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 5 Rhode Island counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Rhode Island
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 1,518 mortgage complaints from Rhode Island since 2012, 138.5 per 100,000 residents, 3.5 above the U.S. rate of 135. Rhode Island ranks #14 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 91 | 100 | 100 | 75 | 59 | 77 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Rhode Island
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. Rhode Island's rate of 98.3 is 70.8 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: Rhode Island
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 10.6% of people with a credit file in Rhode Island have debt in collections, 3.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 15.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 35.2% 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: Rhode Island
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: Rhode Island
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. Rhode Island scores 44.8 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #22 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 Rhode Island?
The credit card delinquency rate in Rhode Island 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 3.3 percentage points from 8.1% in Q4 2019.
How does Rhode Island's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $60,090 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Rhode Island, $3,110 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 17.4% higher than in Q4 2019. Rhode Island ranks #23 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Rhode Island?
Auto loan delinquency in Rhode Island is 3.5% as of Q4 2025, 1.7 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #38 of 51. The rate is up from 3.1% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Rhode Island use?
Rhode Island mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Rhode Island foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Rhode Island's State Distress Index score?
Rhode Island scores 42 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 42% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #30 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 Rhode Island?
The CFPB has received 1,518 mortgage complaints from Rhode Island since 2012, 138.5 per 100,000 residents, 3.5 above the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #14 of 51. Companies responded to 97.8% of Rhode Island complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island had 1,077 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 98.3 per 100,000 residents, 70.8 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #37 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 73% and Chapter 13 for 25.7%. That is 19.1% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Rhode Island have debt in collections?
10.6% of people with a credit file in Rhode Island have debt in collections, 3.3 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #35 of 51. 15.0% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 1.9 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 Rhode Island?
117,128 residents of Rhode Island received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 10.5%, 0.3 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #23 of 51. That is 17.4% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 2.7 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Rhode Island's financial safety net?
Rhode Island scores 44.8 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #22 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (23.2% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10.5%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which Rhode Island counties have the highest financial distress?
Providence County is the most distressed county in Rhode Island with a County Distress Index score of 67 · moderate-high county distress. Kent County (32 · low-moderate county distress), Newport County (15 · very low county distress), Washington County (10 · very low county distress) are next. Bristol County is the least distressed at 7 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 5 counties at /counties/rhode-island/.
How long can foreclosure take in Rhode Island?
Rhode Island mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $500,000. Protects up to $500,000 of equity in your primary residence from many judgment creditors, with exceptions that include mortgage debt and debts owed to a federally insured deposit-taking institution or a person regulated or licensed under title 19. Does NOT stop mortgage foreclosure. Full details at /help/foreclosure/rhode-island/.
Where does Rhode Island rank for financial distress?
Rhode Island scores 42 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 42% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #30 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 Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #22 (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.
Rhode Island 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.