Delaware Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 3 counties, updated quarterly from federal sources. Household debt, delinquency, foreclosure law, and county-level distress scores compared to national averages.
· Data from NY Fed, CFPB, BLS, US Courts, Q4 2025
Behind on your mortgage in Delaware? See your options under Delaware law →
Delaware ranks #9 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Delaware Compare to the National Average?
Delaware is above the national average on 4 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 12.2% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 6.1%, and total debt per capita at $66,170.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Delaware has risen 3.7pp and total household debt has grown 19.7%. Multiple indicators place Delaware among the higher-distress states nationally.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Delaware
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Delaware has climbed from the 35th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 5th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score rose from 36.8 to 73.2 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 43.8 (Typical). On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories. Delaware's State Distress Index of 70.0 (high state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Delaware vs. National Average
Delinquency rates measure the share of loan accounts 30 or more days past due. Higher rates signal greater household financial stress. Debt and balance figures are per capita, adjusted for state population.
Download all states (CSV)Delaware vs. National: 5 Key Metrics (Q4 2025)
Source: NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax, Q4 2025.
Similar States by Distress Level
States ranked closest to Delaware (#9) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware | 70.0 | high state distress | Labor |
| Michigan | 71.7 | high state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Texas | 70.2 | high state distress | Delinquency |
| California | 68.8 | moderate-high state distress | Labor |
Change Since 2019
Pre-pandemic 2019 values provide a baseline for how distress has evolved. Credit card and auto loan delinquency have risen sharply in most states since pandemic-era forbearance protections expired.
| Metric | 2019 | 2025 | Change | Nat'l 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Credit Card Delinquency | 8.6% | 12.2% | +3.7pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 5.5% | 6.1% | +0.6pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.73% | 1.13% | -0.6pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $55,290 | $66,170 | +19.7% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,520 | $4,520 | +28.4% | $4,350 |
Delaware Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Delaware primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Delaware is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state. All residential mortgage foreclosures must proceed through Superior Court. There is no non-judicial power of sale option for residential properties.
Full Delaware foreclosure law guide →Court Oversight, but Rising Pressure
Despite 4 metrics exceeding national averages, Delaware's judicial foreclosure requirement provides court oversight that slows the process and gives homeowners more time to respond. But judicial protection doesn't prevent distress — it extends the timeline. With a credit card delinquency rate of 12.2% (#17 nationally) and a Distress Index score of 70.0 (high state distress), Delaware ranks #9 of 51 jurisdictions for household financial distress.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Delaware on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Delaware's 3 counties average 59.2 — above the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kent County | 69.8 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Castle County | 58.9 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Sussex County | 48.9 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Kent County ranks #504 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sussex County | 48.9 | moderate-low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| New Castle County | 58.9 | moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Kent County | 69.8 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Delaware's most and least distressed counties is 20.9 points — Kent County (69.8, moderate-high county distress) vs. Sussex County (48.9, moderate-low county distress).
Explore all 3 Delaware counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Delaware
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,212 mortgage complaints from Delaware since 2012 — 214.4 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Delaware ranks #4 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 118 | 149 | 112 | 114 | 135 | 110 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Delaware
The Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts filing rate reports annual cases per resident. It does not identify household causes, motives, assets, income, or case outcomes. Delaware's filing rate exceeds the national average.
Source: U.S. Courts, Administrative Office. Table F-2: Cases Commenced by Chapter. Per-capita rates use 2024 Census population estimates.
Credit Distress: Delaware
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 16.0% of Delaware residents have debt in collections — above the national rate of 13.9%. 18.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 38.8% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Delaware
SNAP enrollment and unemployment rates provide upstream context for household debt distress. Higher food assistance enrollment signals that more families are struggling with basic expenses, while elevated unemployment directly reduces income available for debt service.
Sources: USDA Food and Nutrition Service, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics. Population: U.S. Census Bureau 2024 estimates.
Safety Net Strength: Delaware
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. Delaware scores 42.7 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions.
Component Breakdown
Sources: Kaiser Family Foundation (Medicaid, 2024), USDA FNS (SNAP, 2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, state foreclosure statutes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the credit card delinquency rate in Delaware?
The credit card delinquency rate in Delaware is 12.2% as of Q4 2025, ranking #17 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 8.6% in 2019.
How does Delaware's household debt compare to the national average?
Delaware residents carry $66,170 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 19.7% since 2019. Delaware ranks #18 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Delaware?
Auto loan delinquency in Delaware stands at 6.1% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #10 nationally. The rate has risen from 5.5% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Delaware use?
Delaware primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Delaware foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Delaware above or below the national average for financial distress?
Delaware scores 70.0 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), ranking #9 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 20.0 points above the national state average of 50.0. This composite score is built from 4 domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden on a housing basis, and labor. Separately, the national American Distress Index reads 43.8 (Typical) for the country over time. On average, its inputs sit higher than in 44% of their own quarterly histories.
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in Delaware?
The CFPB has received 2,212 mortgage complaints from Delaware since 2012, a rate of 214.4 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #4 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.6% of Delaware complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Delaware?
Delaware had 2,331 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 225.9 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #10 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 48.1% and Chapter 13 for 24.4%. Filings changed -15.3% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Delaware have debt in collections?
16.0% of individuals in Delaware have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #16 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 18.3% of Delaware residents have subprime credit scores (below 620), compared to 16.9% nationally. Data from the Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer (NY Fed / Equifax).
What is the SNAP enrollment rate in Delaware?
99,274 residents of Delaware receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.6% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #29 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -13.6% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 11.5%.
How strong is Delaware's financial safety net?
Delaware scores 42.7 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.6%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Delaware counties have the highest financial distress?
Kent County is the most distressed county in Delaware with a County Distress Index score of 69.8 · moderate-high county distress, ranking #504 nationally out of 3,144 counties. New Castle County (58.9 · moderate county distress), Sussex County (48.9 · moderate-low county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Sussex County is the least distressed at 48.9 · moderate-low county distress. See all 3 counties at /counties/delaware/.
How long can foreclosure take in Delaware?
Delaware uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Delaware, the bank can foreclose in roughly 180–365 days from first missed payment to sale — though individual cases vary with cure periods, mediation, postponements, court backlogs, and bankruptcy filings. Homeowners have a right to cure: Delaware has no state-specific right to cure separate from the mortgage contract…. The homestead exemption is None. Delaware is one of only a few stat.... Full details at /help/foreclosure/delaware/.
Where does Delaware rank for financial distress?
Delaware scores 70.0 on the State Distress Index (high state distress), ranking #9 of 51 jurisdictions. 4 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Labor. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #33 (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. Updated quarterly.
American Distress Index
Composite index tracking U.S. household financial distress across five equal-weighted domains. National score as of the latest available quarter.
Delaware 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 (2025), U.S. Treasury HAF program status, and state foreclosure legal protections.