Vermont Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Vermont and its 14 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 Vermont? See your options under Vermont law →
Vermont ranks #48 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the least distressed fifth: its score of 6 means it is more distressed than 6% of the 50 states and D.C..
How Does Vermont Compare With the U.S.?
Vermont is above the U.S. figure on 0 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025. Credit card delinquency is 9.0%, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $52,910, $10,290 below the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Vermont is up 3.2 percentage points from 5.8% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 13.8% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Vermont
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Vermont has eased from the 36th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 47th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 30 to 8 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. Vermont's State Distress Index of 6 (exceptionally low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Vermont 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)Vermont 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 Vermont (#48) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 6 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Nebraska | 10 | very low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Montana | 8 | exceptionally low state distress | Default & Legal |
| New Hampshire | 4 | exceptionally low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
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 | 5.8% | 9.0% | +3.2 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.2% | 2.8% | −0.4 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.11% | 0.62% | −0.49 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $46,490 | $52,910 | +13.8% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,130 | $3,790 | +21.1% | $4,350 |
Vermont Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Vermont mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts.
Vermont is primarily a judicial foreclosure state. Foreclosure requires a court proceeding in the Superior Court (Civil Division) of the county where the property is located. Strict foreclosure (title vests in lender without sale) under 12 V.S.A.
Full Vermont foreclosure law guide →How Vermont Sits Among the States
Vermont's credit card delinquency rate is 9.0%, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #48 of 51. 0 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 6 (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 Vermont on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Vermont's 14 counties average 19.8: on average, Vermont's counties are more distressed than 19% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | 37 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
| Bennington County | 36 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Orleans County | 31 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Rutland County | 29 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Franklin County | 23 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lamoille County | 6 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 6 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Chittenden County | 7 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Addison County | 7 | exceptionally low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Orange County | 13 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Vermont is Essex County (37, low-moderate county distress); the least distressed is Lamoille County (6, exceptionally low county distress).
Explore all 14 Vermont counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Vermont
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 737 mortgage complaints from Vermont since 2012, 113.8 per 100,000 residents, 21.2 below the U.S. rate of 135. Vermont ranks #25 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 37 | 44 | 55 | 50 | 38 | 27 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Vermont
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. Vermont's rate of 43.7 is 125.4 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: Vermont
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 8.9% of people with a credit file in Vermont have debt in collections, 5 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 9.8% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 27.7% 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: Vermont
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: Vermont
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. Vermont scores 40 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #31 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 Vermont?
The credit card delinquency rate in Vermont is 9.0% as of Q4 2025, ranking #48 among the 51 states and DC, 3.4 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.2 percentage points from 5.8% in Q4 2019.
How does Vermont's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $52,910 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Vermont, $10,290 below the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 13.8% higher than in Q4 2019. Vermont ranks #33 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Vermont?
Auto loan delinquency in Vermont is 2.8% as of Q4 2025, 2.4 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #50 of 51. The rate is down from 3.2% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Vermont use?
Vermont mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. See our Vermont foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Vermont's State Distress Index score?
Vermont scores 6 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 6% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #48 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 Vermont?
The CFPB has received 737 mortgage complaints from Vermont since 2012, 113.8 per 100,000 residents, 21.2 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #25 of 51. Companies responded to 99.1% of Vermont complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Vermont?
Vermont had 283 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 43.7 per 100,000 residents, 125.4 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #49 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 77.7% and Chapter 13 for 21.9%. That is 10.1% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Vermont have debt in collections?
8.9% of people with a credit file in Vermont have debt in collections, 5 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #46 of 51. 9.8% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 7.1 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 Vermont?
58,520 residents of Vermont received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 9.0%, 1.8 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #32 of 51. That is 8.7% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 1.4 percentage points below the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Vermont's financial safety net?
Vermont scores 40 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #31 of 51 (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is below the state average of 43.6.
Which Vermont counties have the highest financial distress?
Essex County is the most distressed county in Vermont with a County Distress Index score of 37 · low-moderate county distress. Bennington County (36 · low-moderate county distress), Orleans County (31 · low-moderate county distress), Rutland County (29 · low county distress) are next. Lamoille County is the least distressed at 6 · exceptionally low county distress. See all 14 counties at /counties/vermont/.
How long can foreclosure take in Vermont?
Vermont mainly uses judicial foreclosure, which goes through the courts. The timeline varies by county and case. Homestead exemption: $125,000. Protects up to $125,000 of equity in your primary residence from judgment creditors. Does NOT stop mortgage foreclosure. Full details at /help/foreclosure/vermont/.
Where does Vermont rank for financial distress?
Vermont scores 6 on the State Distress Index (exceptionally low state distress), which means it is more distressed than 6% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #48 of 51 jurisdictions, in the least distressed fifth. 0 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 #31 (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.
Vermont 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.