Pennsylvania Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 67 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 Pennsylvania? See your options under Pennsylvania law →
Pennsylvania ranks #25 nationally for household financial distress. County Distress Index details are listed separately for its 67 counties. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Pennsylvania Compare to the National Average?
Pennsylvania is above the national average on 1 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 12.3% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 4.8%, and total debt per capita at $50,360.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Pennsylvania has risen 4.4pp and total household debt has grown 15.9%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Pennsylvania
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Pennsylvania has eased from the 18th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 25th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 60.3 to 56.0 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. Pennsylvania's State Distress Index of 56.3 (moderate state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Pennsylvania 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)Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania (#25) 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 | 8.0% | 12.3% | +4.4pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 4.4% | 4.8% | +0.4pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.13% | 1.10% | -0.0pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $43,440 | $50,360 | +15.9% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,260 | $3,950 | +21.2% | $4,350 |
Pennsylvania Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Pennsylvania primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Pennsylvania is exclusively a judicial foreclosure state. All residential mortgage foreclosures must proceed through the Court of Common Pleas. There is no non-judicial power-of-sale mechanism for residential mortgages in Pennsylvania.
Full Pennsylvania foreclosure law guide →Strong Safety Net as Partial Buffer
Despite mixed signals in the data, Pennsylvania's safety net score of 59.2 (Moderate) provides a partial buffer that many states lack. Medicaid covers 19.8% of the population, the Homeowner Assistance Fund remains active, and state foreclosure protections add additional guardrails. Even so, the Distress Index reads 56.3 (moderate state distress) — safety nets slow crises, they don't prevent them.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Pennsylvania on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Pennsylvania's 67 counties average 45.8 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philadelphia County | 79.4 | high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Fayette County | 72.3 | high county distress | Labor |
| Monroe County | 69.3 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Luzerne County | 68.5 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Pike County | 62.6 | moderate-high county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
Philadelphia County ranks #160 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chester County | 21.1 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Union County | 26.1 | low county distress | Labor |
| Butler County | 27.4 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montgomery County | 28.0 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Montour County | 28.9 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Pennsylvania's most and least distressed counties is 58.3 points — Philadelphia County (79.4, high county distress) vs. Chester County (21.1, low county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 67 Pennsylvania counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Pennsylvania
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 15,777 mortgage complaints from Pennsylvania since 2012 — 121.7 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Pennsylvania ranks #20 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 812 | 987 | 849 | 879 | 880 | 849 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Pennsylvania
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. Pennsylvania'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: Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 12.8% of Pennsylvania residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 15.9% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 36.8% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Pennsylvania
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: Pennsylvania
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. Pennsylvania scores 59.2 out of 100 (Moderate), ranking #8 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 Pennsylvania?
The credit card delinquency rate in Pennsylvania is 12.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #15 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 8.0% in 2019.
How does Pennsylvania's household debt compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania residents carry $50,360 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 15.9% since 2019. Pennsylvania ranks #35 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Pennsylvania?
Auto loan delinquency in Pennsylvania stands at 4.8% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #26 nationally. The rate has risen from 4.4% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Pennsylvania use?
Pennsylvania primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Pennsylvania foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Pennsylvania above or below the national average for financial distress?
Pennsylvania scores 56.3 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), ranking #25 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 6.3 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 Pennsylvania?
The CFPB has received 15,777 mortgage complaints from Pennsylvania since 2012, a rate of 121.7 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #20 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.2% of Pennsylvania complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania had 13,965 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 107.7 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #34 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 54.3% and Chapter 13 for 44.1%. Filings changed +13.9% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Pennsylvania have debt in collections?
12.8% of individuals in Pennsylvania have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 15.9% of Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania?
1,726,879 residents of Pennsylvania receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 13.3% — above the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #9 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -12.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 13.3%.
How strong is Pennsylvania's financial safety net?
Pennsylvania scores 59.2 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #8 of 51 jurisdictions (Moderate). The score combines Medicaid coverage (19.8% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (13.3%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (active), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Pennsylvania counties have the highest financial distress?
Philadelphia County is the most distressed county in Pennsylvania with a County Distress Index score of 79.4 · high county distress, ranking #160 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Fayette County (72.3 · high county distress), Monroe County (69.3 · moderate-high county distress), Luzerne County (68.5 · moderate-high county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Chester County is the least distressed at 21.1 · low county distress. See all 67 counties at /counties/pennsylvania/.
How long can foreclosure take in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Pennsylvania, the bank can foreclose in roughly 270–540 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: 30 days from receipt of Act 6 Notice (before complaint is filed). Once the forec…. The homestead exemption is $300. Full details at /help/foreclosure/pennsylvania/.
Where does Pennsylvania rank for financial distress?
Pennsylvania scores 56.3 on the State Distress Index (moderate state distress), ranking #25 of 51 jurisdictions. 1 of 5 key metrics exceed national averages. The highest SDI domain is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #8 (Moderate).
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.
Pennsylvania 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.