In Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, rent on a two-bedroom takes about two in five dollars of the typical household's income
In Philadelphia County, 36.9% 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 99% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 92% of U.S. counties.
What drives Philadelphia County's score
In Philadelphia County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 96.2. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 36.9% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 99% of U.S. counties. Late payments on loans come next, at 90.1.
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.
Philadelphia County does better than most counties on two measures: bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people (94.5, 2025) and people without health insurance (7.1%, 2020 to 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Philadelphia 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.
- 96.2 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 income36.9% · fiscal year 202799th percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent27.5% · 2020 to 202492nd percentile
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- 90.1 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind9.4% · August 202590th percentile
- People with a credit card behind8.9% · August 202590th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score35.9% · Q4 202589th percentile
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- 71.2 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working22.5% · 2020 to 202460th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average5.1% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202681st percentile
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- 69.8 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line27.8% · 202487th percentile
- People with a disability17.4% · 2020 to 202462nd percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$60,500 · 202469th percentile
- People below the poverty line19.7% · 202486th percentile
- People without health insurance7.1% · 2020 to 202443rd percentile
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- 58.6 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector34.1% · August 202584th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people94.5 · 202533rd 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 Philadelphia 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
Philadelphia County
Pennsylvania
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Philadelphia County in 2024, pay from work was 58 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 15 cents. Benefit checks were 28 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 11 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Philadelphia County, benefit checks rose from 11 to 28 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: 27.6% and 57.7% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 27.6% of all personal income in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania (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 Philadelphia County, 14.7% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Philadelphia County has changed
The number of people living in Philadelphia County fell by about two in 10 between 1969 and 2024, from 1,953,285 to 1,573,916. The number of jobs located there stayed about the same from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment fell from 6.4% in 1990 to 5.3% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 1,953,285 | 2024 1,573,916 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 718,704 | 2024 714,504 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 6.4% | 2025 5.3% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 20.9% | 2024 19.7% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $22,589 | 2024 $60,500 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 11.1% | 2024 27.6% |
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 Philadelphia County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 1950 Census count of 2,071,605. The 2020 Census counted 1,603,797, 77% of the peak. Census Bureau
1682
November 1682, one of three original counties founded by William Penn, along with Chester and Bucks counties. Wikipedia
2004
Flash flood: $18 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2021
Flash flood: $60 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2021
Flash flood: $40 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2025
Thunderstorm wind: two deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1965
25 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Philadelphia County, 7 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Philadelphia County beside its neighbors
Philadelphia County scores higher than all six counties that border it, in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Of the group, Philadelphia County gets the largest share of its income from benefit checks (27.6%).
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County, PA | 92 | 19.7% | 27.6% |
| Camden County, NJ | 71 | 11.4% | 22.2% |
| Delaware County, PA | 50 | 10.7% | 16.9% |
| Gloucester County, NJ | 43 | 7.1% | 18.9% |
| Burlington County, NJ | 36 | 5.5% | 17.0% |
| Bucks County, PA | 12 | 6.1% | 14.5% |
| Montgomery County, PA | 10 | 6.2% | 12.5% |
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 Philadelphia County the poorest county in Pennsylvania?
No, Philadelphia County's poverty rate was 19.7% in 2024, 2nd highest of 67 in Pennsylvania (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Forest County, at 22.8%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Philadelphia County ranks 1st of 67 in the state.
Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania?
19.7% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in five people. Among children it was 27.8%.
Is Philadelphia County the poorest county in Pennsylvania?
No, Philadelphia County's poverty rate was 19.7% in 2024, 2nd highest of 67 in Pennsylvania (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Forest County, at 22.8%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Philadelphia County ranks 1st of 67 in the state.
What is the population of Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania?
About 1,573,916 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 1,603,797, 77% of the county's peak of 2,071,605 in 1950.
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 Philadelphia 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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Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Affordable Housing Center of Pennsylvania - Northeast Branch
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Affordable Housing Centers of Pennsylvania - West Philadephia
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Community Legal Services of Philadelphia
Legal aid
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Pennsylvania Legal Aid Network (PLAN)
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 Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.