Washington Financial Distress Profile
Household debt and delinquency, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, foreclosure law and county distress scores for Washington and its 39 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 Washington? See your options under Washington law →
Washington ranks #33 of 51 jurisdictions on the State Distress Index, in the second-least distressed fifth: its score of 36 means it is more distressed than 36% of the 50 states and D.C.. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 39 counties.
How Does Washington Compare With the U.S.?
Washington is above the U.S. figure on 2 of 5 household debt measures from the Federal Reserve Bank of New York for Q4 2025: total debt per adult with a credit file ($85,880) and credit card balance per adult with a credit file ($4,640). Credit card delinquency is 9.3%, 3.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%; total debt per adult with a credit file is $85,880, $22,680 above the U.S. $63,200.
Credit card delinquency in Washington is up 3.5 percentage points from 5.8% in Q4 2019, and total debt per adult with a credit file is 27.3% higher than in Q4 2019.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Washington
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Washington has eased from the 25th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 34th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its State Distress Index score fell from 50 to 34 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. Washington's State Distress Index of 36 (low-moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Washington 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)Washington 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 Washington (#33) on the State Distress Index, with the domain that scores highest in each.
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% | 9.3% | +3.5 percentage points | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.6% | 3.8% | +1.2 percentage points | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.50% | 0.57% | +0.07 percentage points | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Adult With a Credit File | $67,440 | $85,880 | +27.3% | $63,200 |
| Card Balance per Adult With a Credit File | $3,660 | $4,640 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Washington Foreclosure Law Summary
If you fall behind on mortgage payments, the steps and deadlines depend on state law. Washington mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court.
A deed of trust can be foreclosed without going to court, by a trustee's sale under RCW 61.24. Judicial foreclosure under RCW 61.12 is also available. Mortgages (as opposed to deeds of trust) must be foreclosed judicially.
- Paying to stop the foreclosure: Within 30 days of the mailing (or personal service) of the notice of default; failing to cure in that time may lead to a notice of sale being recorded (RCW 61.24.030(8)). The 30-day response window in the earlier pre-foreclosure contact letter (RCW 61.24.031) is a chance to meet with the lender, not a cure deadline: if the borrower responds, a notice of default may not be issued until 90 days after the initial contact. This is distinct from the right to reinstate.
- Post-sale redemption: Non-judicial trustee sale: NO post-sale redemption right (RCW 61.24.050). Judicial foreclosure: 8 months if the mortgage was executed after June 30, 1961, states that the property is not used principally for agricultural or farming purposes, and the lender expressly waived any deficiency judgment in its complaint; otherwise 1 year (RCW 6.23.020). Redemption rights can be lost where they have been precluded under RCW 61.12.093 et seq.
- Foreclosure Fairness Act - CPA Tie-In
- Manufactured Home Protections on Foreclosure
How Washington Sits Among the States
Washington's credit card delinquency rate is 9.3%, 3.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%, and ranks #46 of 51. 2 of 5 NY Fed household debt measures are above the U.S. figure, and the State Distress Index reads 36 (low-moderate state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup covers all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Washington on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Washington's 39 counties average 43.2: on average, Washington's counties are more distressed than 43% 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grays Harbor County | 76 | high county distress | Labor |
| Yakima County | 69 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Adams County | 68 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Grant County | 63 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Okanogan County | 59 | moderate county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelan County | 20 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| San Juan County | 21 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| King County | 23 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kitsap County | 27 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Skamania County | 27 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The most distressed county in Washington is Grays Harbor County (76, high county distress); the least distressed is Chelan County (20, low county distress).
Explore all 39 Washington counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Washington
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 10,346 mortgage complaints from Washington since 2012, 132.4 per 100,000 residents, 2.6 below the U.S. rate of 135. Washington ranks #17 of 51 on complaints per resident.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 542 | 588 | 475 | 422 | 469 | 510 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Washington
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. Washington's rate of 119.6 is 49.5 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: Washington
The Federal Reserve Bank of Philadelphia's Consumer Credit Explorer reports credit health from NY Fed / Equifax credit records. 9.5% of people with a credit file in Washington have debt in collections, 4.4 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 11.1% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 29.9% 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: Washington
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: Washington
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. Washington scores 51.2 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #14 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 Washington?
The credit card delinquency rate in Washington is 9.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #46 among the 51 states and DC, 3.1 percentage points below the U.S. 12.4%. It is up 3.5 percentage points from 5.8% in Q4 2019.
How does Washington's household debt compare with the U.S.?
The NY Fed reports a $85,880 total debt balance per adult with a credit file in Washington, $22,680 above the U.S. $63,200 on the same basis. That is 27.3% higher than in Q4 2019. Washington ranks #4 on that basis.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Washington?
Auto loan delinquency in Washington is 3.8% as of Q4 2025, 1.4 percentage points below the U.S. 5.2%. This ranks #33 of 51. The rate is up from 2.6% in Q4 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Washington use?
Washington mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. See our Washington foreclosure guide for the timeline, homeowner protections and where to get free help.
What is Washington's State Distress Index score?
Washington scores 36 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 36% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #33 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-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 Washington?
The CFPB has received 10,346 mortgage complaints from Washington since 2012, 132.4 per 100,000 residents, 2.6 below the U.S. rate of 135. That ranks #17 of 51. Companies responded to 98.2% of Washington complaints on time.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Washington?
Washington had 9,346 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, 119.6 per 100,000 residents, 49.5 below the U.S. rate of 169.1. This ranks #31 of 51. Chapter 7 filings account for 79.2% and Chapter 13 for 19.7%. That is 14.3% more filings than in 2024.
What percentage of people in Washington have debt in collections?
9.5% of people with a credit file in Washington have debt in collections, 4.4 percentage points below the U.S. average of 13.9%. This ranks #42 of 51. 11.1% have subprime credit scores (below 620), 5.8 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 Washington?
835,317 residents of Washington received SNAP benefits in June 2026, an enrollment rate of 10.4%, 0.4 percentage points below the U.S. rate of 10.8%. This ranks #24 of 51. That is 7.5% fewer people than in June 2025. The rate is 0.4 percentage points above the October 2019 to February 2020 average.
How strong is Washington's financial safety net?
Washington scores 51.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #14 of 51 (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10.4%), and foreclosure legal protections. That is above the state average of 43.6.
Which Washington counties have the highest financial distress?
Grays Harbor County is the most distressed county in Washington with a County Distress Index score of 76 · high county distress. Yakima County (69 · moderate-high county distress), Adams County (68 · moderate-high county distress), Grant County (63 · moderate-high county distress) are next. Chelan County is the least distressed at 20 · low county distress. See all 39 counties at /counties/washington/.
How long can foreclosure take in Washington?
Washington mainly uses non-judicial foreclosure, which a lender can carry out without going to court. The timeline varies by county and case. Paying to stop the foreclosure: Within 30 days of the mailing (or personal service) of the notice of default; failing to cure in that time may lead to a notice of sale being recorded (RCW 61.24.030(8)). The 30-day response window in the earlier pre-foreclosure contact letter (RCW 61.24.031) is a chance to meet with the lender, not a cure deadline: if the borrower responds, a notice of default may not be issued until 90 days after the initial contact. This is distinct from the right to reinstate. Homestead exemption: The greater of $125,000 or the county median sale price of a single-family home in the preceding calendar year. Full details at /help/foreclosure/washington/.
Where does Washington rank for financial distress?
Washington scores 36 on the State Distress Index (low-moderate state distress), which means it is more distressed than 36% of the 50 states and D.C.. It ranks #33 of 51 jurisdictions, in the second-least distressed 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 Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #14 (Moderate).
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.
Washington Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-04.
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.