Ohio Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 88 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 Ohio? See your options under Ohio law →
Ohio ranks #26 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Ohio Compare to the National Average?
Ohio is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 11.1% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 5.3%, and total debt per capita at $46,780.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Ohio has risen 3.7pp and total household debt has grown 18.6%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Ohio
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Ohio has eased from the 3rd-most distressed jurisdiction to the 13th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 80.6 to 65.4 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. Ohio's State Distress Index of 54.4 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Ohio 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)Ohio 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 Ohio (#26) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ohio | 54.4 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Arkansas | 57.0 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
| Pennsylvania | 56.3 | moderate state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Tennessee | 54.2 | moderate state distress | Default & Legal |
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 | 7.4% | 11.1% | +3.7pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.6% | 5.3% | +0.8pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.92% | 0.96% | +0.0pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $39,450 | $46,780 | +18.6% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $2,890 | $3,560 | +23.2% | $4,350 |
Ohio Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Ohio primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Ohio is exclusively judicial. Non-judicial (power of sale) foreclosure is not permitted for residential mortgages. Every case must be filed in the Court of Common Pleas where the property sits. Ohio uses mortgages, not deeds of trust.
- Post-sale redemption: At any time before confirmation of sale (equity of redemption) — requires paymen…
- predatory lending
- foreclosure rescue fraud
State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Ohio's credit card delinquency of 11.1% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. With 2 of 5 tracked metrics above national averages and a Distress Index of 54.4 (moderate state distress), the pressure on Ohio households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Ohio on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Ohio's 88 counties average 43.5 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trumbull County | 68.1 | moderate-high county distress | Default & Legal |
| Scioto County | 67.7 | moderate-high county distress | Default & Legal |
| Pike County | 67.1 | moderate-high county distress | Default & Legal |
| Lucas County | 66.2 | moderate-high county distress | Default & Legal |
| Mahoning County | 65.1 | moderate-high county distress | Default & Legal |
Trumbull County ranks #606 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delaware County | 11.6 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Mercer County | 13.1 | very low county distress | Default & Legal |
| Holmes County | 13.2 | very low county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
| Geauga County | 14.4 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Putnam County | 15.0 | very low county distress | Delinquency |
The gap between Ohio's most and least distressed counties is 56.5 points — Trumbull County (68.1, moderate-high county distress) vs. Delaware County (11.6, very low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 88 Ohio counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Ohio
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 11,596 mortgage complaints from Ohio since 2012 — 98.4 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Ohio ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 511 | 632 | 602 | 592 | 487 | 610 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Ohio
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. Ohio'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: Ohio
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 15.5% of Ohio residents have debt in collections — above the national rate of 13.9%. 17.3% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 39.5% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Ohio
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: Ohio
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. Ohio scores 33.6 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #42 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 Ohio?
The credit card delinquency rate in Ohio is 11.1% as of Q4 2025, ranking #29 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 7.4% in 2019.
How does Ohio's household debt compare to the national average?
Ohio residents carry $46,780 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 18.6% since 2019. Ohio ranks #45 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Ohio?
Auto loan delinquency in Ohio stands at 5.3% as of Q4 2025, above the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #22 nationally. The rate has risen from 4.6% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Ohio use?
Ohio primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Ohio foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Ohio above or below the national average for financial distress?
Ohio scores 54.4 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), ranking #26 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 4.4 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 Ohio?
The CFPB has received 11,596 mortgage complaints from Ohio since 2012, a rate of 98.4 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #28 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.4% of Ohio complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Ohio?
Ohio had 26,110 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 221.6 per 100,000 residents — above the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #13 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 76.2% and Chapter 13 for 23.5%. Filings changed +11.4% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Ohio have debt in collections?
15.5% of individuals in Ohio have debt in collections, above the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 17.3% of Ohio 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 Ohio?
1,341,017 residents of Ohio receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 11.4% — above the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -7.0% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 11.7%.
How strong is Ohio's financial safety net?
Ohio scores 33.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #42 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (20% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (11.4%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (exhausted), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Ohio counties have the highest financial distress?
Trumbull County is the most distressed county in Ohio with a County Distress Index score of 68.1 · moderate-high county distress, ranking #606 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Scioto County (67.7 · moderate-high county distress), Pike County (67.1 · moderate-high county distress), Lucas County (66.2 · moderate-high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Delaware County is the least distressed at 11.6 · very low county distress. See all 88 counties at /counties/ohio/.
How long can foreclosure take in Ohio?
Ohio uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Ohio, the bank can foreclose in roughly 120–270 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: Borrower may cure arrears and reinstate the loan at any time before the foreclos…. The homestead exemption is $136,925. Full details at /help/foreclosure/ohio/.
Where does Ohio rank for financial distress?
Ohio scores 54.4 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), ranking #26 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Default & Legal. County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #42 (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.
Ohio 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.