District of Columbia Financial Distress Profile 2026
Household debt, delinquency rates, and foreclosure law summary for District of Columbia — compared to national averages. Data from the NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel, Q4 2025.
Last updated: 2026-03-09
How Does District of Columbia Compare to the National Average?
District of Columbia is above the national average on 4 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.2% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 13.6%, and total debt per capita at $102,400.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in District of Columbia has risen 4.6pp and total household debt has grown 15.8%. Multiple indicators place District of Columbia among the higher-distress states nationally.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: District of Columbia
Component Breakdown
The national American Distress Index reads 59.0 (Elevated). District of Columbia's State Distress Index of 76 (Serious Stress) is computed from 6 data dimensions covering debt performance, economic need, bankruptcy filings, employment, consumer complaints, and safety net strength.
District of Columbia 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)District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia (#1) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
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 | 6.5% | 11.2% | +4.6pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 9.8% | 13.6% | +3.8pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.75% | 1.01% | +0.3pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $88,450 | $102,400 | +15.8% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $4,420 | $5,500 | +24.4% | $4,350 |
Strong Safety Net as Partial Buffer
Despite elevated distress metrics, District of Columbia's safety net score of 56.6 (Moderate) provides a partial buffer that many states lack. Medicaid covers 25.8% of the population, and household support programs help absorb shocks. Even so, the Distress Index reads 76.0 (Serious Stress) — safety nets slow crises, they don't prevent them.
CFPB Mortgage Complaints in District of Columbia
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 2,308 mortgage complaints from District of Columbia since 2012 — 339.9 per 100,000 residents, above the national rate of 129.3 per 100K. District of Columbia ranks #1 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 149 | 169 | 114 | 133 | 144 | 107 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: District of Columbia
Bankruptcy filings reflect the downstream consequence of sustained financial distress — when households exhaust savings, fall behind on debt, and run out of alternatives. District of Columbia's filing rate is below 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: District of Columbia
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 8.2% of District of Columbia residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 18.7% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 38.7% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: District of Columbia
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: District of Columbia
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. District of Columbia scores 56.6 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #19 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 District of Columbia?
The credit card delinquency rate in District of Columbia is 11.2% as of Q4 2025, ranking #28 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 6.5% in 2019.
How does District of Columbia's household debt compare to the national average?
District of Columbia residents carry $102,400 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 15.8% since 2019. District of Columbia ranks #1 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in District of Columbia?
Auto loan delinquency in District of Columbia stands at 13.6% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #1 nationally. The rate has risen from 9.8% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does District of Columbia use?
Foreclosure law information is not currently available for the District of Columbia. Contact a HUD-approved housing counselor at 1-800-569-4287 for local guidance.
Is District of Columbia above or below the national average for financial distress?
District of Columbia scores 76 on the State Distress Index (Serious Stress), ranking #1 of 51 jurisdictions. This composite score is built from 6 data dimensions: debt delinquency rates, SNAP enrollment, bankruptcy filings, unemployment, CFPB complaints, and safety net strength. The national American Distress Index reads 59.0 (Elevated).
How many CFPB mortgage complaints have been filed in District of Columbia?
The CFPB has received 2,308 mortgage complaints from District of Columbia since 2012, a rate of 339.9 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #1 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 129.3 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.6% of District of Columbia complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia had 618 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 91.0 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #40 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 64.6% and Chapter 13 for 21.5%. Filings changed +40.8% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in District of Columbia have debt in collections?
8.2% of individuals in District of Columbia have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 18.7% of District of Columbia 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 District of Columbia?
139,966 residents of District of Columbia receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 20.6% — above the national rate of 11.9%. This ranks #2 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -1.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 16.1%.
How strong is District of Columbia's financial safety net?
District of Columbia scores 56.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #19 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (25.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (20.6%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (unknown), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 49.3.
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 statistically derived components. National score as of the latest available quarter.
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.