In Hampden County, Massachusetts, rent on a two-bedroom takes about one in three dollars of the typical household's income
In Hampden County, 30.3% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 97% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 77% of U.S. counties.
What drives Hampden County's score
In Hampden County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 93.2. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 30.3% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 97% of U.S. counties. Jobs come next, at 77.4.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Hampden County does better than most counties on two measures: people without health insurance (3.0%, 2020 to 2024) and median household income ($71,287, 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Hampden County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 93.2 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income30.3% · fiscal year 202797th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent25.9% · 2020 to 202489th percentile
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- 77.4 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working23.4% · 2020 to 202465th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average5.6% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202688th percentile
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- 63.0 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind5.3% · August 202552nd percentile
- People with a credit card behind7.2% · August 202576th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score26.0% · Q4 202560th percentile
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- 49.2 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector24.6% · August 202555th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people113.2 · 202542nd percentile
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- 48.5 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line22.3% · 202473rd percentile
- People with a disability16.9% · 2020 to 202458th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$71,287 · 202437th percentile
- People below the poverty line16.0% · 202470th percentile
- People without health insurance3.0% · 2020 to 20242nd percentile
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Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; 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 Aug 2026.
Where the money in Hampden County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Hampden County
Massachusetts
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Hampden County in 2024, pay from work was 56 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 12 cents. Benefit checks were 32 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 10 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Hampden County, benefit checks rose from 10 to 32 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Hampden County, Massachusetts: 32.2% and 55.6% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 32.2% of all personal income in Hampden County, Massachusetts (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
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 Hampden County, 18.3% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Hampden County has changed
The number of people living in Hampden County stayed about the same between 1969 and 2024, from 456,530 to 464,151. The number of jobs located there stayed about the same from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 6.7% in 1990 to 5.5% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 456,530 | 2024 464,151 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 196,495 | 2024 202,129 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 6.7% | 2025 5.5% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 11.2% | 2024 16.0% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $31,319 | 2024 $71,287 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 9.9% | 2024 32.2% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Hampden County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 465,825, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
2011
Tornado: $227.6 million in property damage, three deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
Thunderstorm wind: $1.5 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
Flood: $1 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2013
Hail: $3 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1985
24 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Hampden County, 5 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Hampden County beside its neighbors
Hampden County scores higher than all six counties that border it, in Massachusetts and Connecticut. Of the group, Hampden County gets the largest share of its income from benefit checks (32.2%).
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hampden County, MA | 77 | 16.0% | 32.2% |
| Capitol Planning Region, CT | 48 | 10.4% | 17.1% |
| Berkshire County, MA | 42 | 11.3% | 27.1% |
| Worcester County, MA | 39 | 9.6% | 18.8% |
| Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region, CT | 33 | 7.7% | 21.8% |
| Northwest Hills Planning Region, CT | 27 | 8.6% | 17.0% |
| Hampshire County, MA | 23 | 12.3% | 18.7% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 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 Hampden County the poorest county in Massachusetts?
Yes, Hampden County's poverty rate was 16.0% in 2024, the highest of 14 counties in Massachusetts (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Hampden County ranks 1st of 14 in the state.
Hampden County in photographs
Places in Hampden County from Wikimedia Commons, each captioned in its photographer's own words.
W:Hampden County Courthouse in w:Springfield, Massachusetts.
Snake Pond from East Mountain (Hampden County, Massachusetts.
Photo: 5ju989nfhs50 at English Wikipedia via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0
Hampden County, Massachusetts: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Hampden County, Massachusetts?
16.0% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in six people. Among children it was 22.3%.
Is Hampden County the poorest county in Massachusetts?
Yes, Hampden County's poverty rate was 16.0% in 2024, the highest of 14 counties in Massachusetts (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Hampden County ranks 1st of 14 in the state.
What is the population of Hampden County, Massachusetts?
About 464,151 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 465,825, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Hampden County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
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Cambridge Credit Counseling Corporation
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Holyoke Housing Authority
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Springfield Partners for Community Action
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Community Legal Aid
Legal aid
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MassLegalHelp.org
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,311 approved agencies 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 Hampden County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Hampden County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.