Unemployment in Stanislaus County, California, is higher than in 97% of U.S. counties
In Stanislaus County, 7.0% of the labor force was out of work, on average. That is higher than in 97% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 81% of U.S. counties.
What drives Stanislaus County's score
In Stanislaus County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 91.5. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 27.8% of the typical household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 92% of U.S. counties. Jobs come next, at 86.9.
The County Distress Index looks at five parts of household money trouble in Stanislaus County: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each part is scored from 0 to 100, and a higher score means worse off than other counties.
Stanislaus County does better than most counties on two measures: people with a disability (12.6%, 2020 to 2024) and median household income ($77,812, 2024).
A longer bar means more trouble. See how the county score works.
- 91.5 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorRenters, 2020–24 Census survey; HUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent26.3% · 2020 to 202490th percentile
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income27.8% · fiscal year 202792nd percentile
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- 86.9 of 100
Jobs
Unemployment through Sep 2026; adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey
- Unemployment rate, average over the latest year7.0% · Oct 2025 to Sep 202696th percentile
- Adults 25 to 54 not working25.6% · 2020 to 202476th percentile
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- 65.5 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector22.9% · August 202549th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people230.5 · 202582nd percentile
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- 62.8 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, second quarter of 2026
- People with a credit card behind7.4% · August 202577th percentile
- People with a car or retail loan behind5.5% · August 202554th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score42.0% · second quarter of 202656th percentile
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- 36.6 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- People below the poverty line14.2% · 202458th percentile
- Children below the poverty line18.0% · 202454th percentile
- People with a disability12.6% · 2020 to 202419th percentile
- People without health insurance5.6% · 2020 to 202426th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$77,812 · 202423rd percentile
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Sources: Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and Census income; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Sep 2026.
Where the money in Stanislaus County comes from
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Stanislaus County, 13.8% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally that year.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Stanislaus County
California
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Stanislaus County, benefit checks' share of income has doubled since 1969, reaching 25.1% in 2024, but pay from work still brings in more than twice as much as benefit checks
In Stanislaus County, California, benefit checks' share of income doubled from 1969 to 2024, reaching 25.1%; pay from work is plotted alongside. Every fifth year and 2024 are shown.
- Benefit checks
- Pay from work
The share of households in Stanislaus County getting SNAP food aid had its largest rise, from 10.2% in 2011 to 12.4% in 2012.
The share of households in Stanislaus County getting SNAP food aid doubled from 2009 to 2024, reaching 15.5%
High on the chart: 16.0% in 2015. Households getting SNAP, every year; each bar is a five-year survey estimate ending that year, so neighboring bars share most of their data, Stanislaus County, California.
How Stanislaus County has changed
Stanislaus County's population had its largest rise, from 293,879 in 1984 to 353,017 in 1989.
Stanislaus County's population tripled from 1969 to 2024, reaching 556,972, with no dip in any year shown
Smallest rise: 2019 to 2024, reaching 556,972. Residents, yearly estimate, every fifth year and 2024, Stanislaus County, California.
The number of jobs located in Stanislaus County rose most sharply after its 1995 low, from 134,767 in 1995 to 162,674 in 2000.
The number of jobs located in Stanislaus County rose 44% from 1990 to 2025, reaching its highest on the chart
High on the chart: 199,343 in 2025. Yearly average of jobs covered by unemployment insurance, every fifth year and 2025, Stanislaus County, California.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 11.8% | 2025 7.2% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 13.7% | 2024 14.2% |
| Median household incomeCensus SAIPE | 1989 $27,207 | 2024 $77,812 |
The table uses 7.2% for 2025; the score uses 7.0% for the latest year (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026), both from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices.
Dated events in Stanislaus County's history
1826
Estanislao led Indian raids and battles against Mexican troops until defeated by Vallejo in 1826. Wikipedia
1854
Stanislaus County was formed from part of Tuolumne County in 1854. Wikipedia
2006
A flood in January 2006 killed one person. NOAA Storm Events Database
2015
A tornado in November 2015 did $1,000,000 in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2020
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 552,878, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
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Since 1964
19 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Stanislaus County, 12 of them for flooding. FEMA
Stanislaus County beside its neighbors
Of the seven counties that border Stanislaus County, one scores higher. For the share of income from benefit checks, Stanislaus County ranks 5th of the eight; Tuolumne County is highest, at 31.6%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Merced County, CA | 86 | 18.4% | 28.5% |
| Stanislaus County, CA | 81 | 14.2% | 25.1% |
| San Joaquin County, CA | 71 | 12.9% | 23.8% |
| Tuolumne County, CA | 63 | 12.7% | 31.6% |
| Calaveras County, CA | 63 | 11.5% | 29.1% |
| Mariposa County, CA | 58 | 15.1% | 28.4% |
| Alameda County, CA | 26 | 8.8% | 12.9% |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 12 | 7.1% | 7.3% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Sep 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Stanislaus County the poorest county in California?
No, Stanislaus County's poverty rate was 14.2% in 2024, 23rd highest of 58 in California (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Trinity County, at 23.0%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Stanislaus County ranks 9th of 58 in the state.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Stanislaus County
Housing counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development work at nonprofit agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes free foreclosure-avoidance counseling, including help with mortgage-company conversations and available options Source CFPB.
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Habitat for Humanity, Stanislaus County
HUD-approved housing counselor
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California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Our help directory lists 1,010 agencies approved for foreclosure counseling, by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Stanislaus County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Sep 2026, built from Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. The County Distress Index is American Default Research's own calculation; the Urban Institute does not produce or endorse it. Our methodology
- Urban Institute · Debt in America Breno Braga, Signe-Mary McKernan, Samantha Atherton, and Kassandra Martinchek, "Debt in America," last updated November 20, 2025, https://datacatalog.urban.org/dataset/debt-america-2025. Licensed under ODC-By 1.0.
- Rent on a two-bedroom and household income The rent share compares HUD fair market rent for fiscal year 2027 with Census Bureau median household income for 2024. The page calls this the typical household's income.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Stanislaus County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.