Vermont Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 14 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 Vermont? See your options under Vermont law →
Vermont ranks #48 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Vermont Compare to the National Average?
Vermont is above the national average on 0 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.0% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 2.8%, and total debt per capita at $52,910.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Vermont has risen 3.2pp and total household debt has grown 13.8%. Most metrics remain below the national baseline.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Vermont
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Vermont has eased from the 36th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 47th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 35.8 to 21.1 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. Vermont's State Distress Index of 17.2 (very low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Vermont 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)Vermont 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 Vermont (#48) on the State Distress Index. Peer comparison reveals whether distress patterns are regional or structural.
| State | SDI Score | Score Label | Highest Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 17.2 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Nebraska | 21.0 | low state distress | Default & Legal |
| Montana | 18.9 | very low state distress | Default & Legal |
| New Hampshire | 15.6 | very low state distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
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 | 5.8% | 9.0% | +3.2pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 3.2% | 2.8% | -0.4pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 1.11% | 0.62% | -0.5pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $46,490 | $52,910 | +13.8% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,130 | $3,790 | +21.1% | $4,350 |
Vermont Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Vermont primarily uses judicial foreclosure.
Vermont is primarily a judicial foreclosure state. Foreclosure requires a court proceeding in the Superior Court (Civil Division) of the county where the property is located.
- Post-sale redemption: 6 months after judicial foreclosure sale (12 V.S.A. § 4528). The court may exten…
State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Vermont's credit card delinquency of 9.0% falls below the national 12.4%, but other metrics tell a more nuanced story. The state's Distress Index reads 17.2 (very low state distress). The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Vermont on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Vermont's 14 counties average 28.4 — below the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
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Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Orleans County | 39.2 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Bennington County | 36.3 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Rutland County | 34.8 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Caledonia County | 32.0 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Essex County | 31.3 | low-moderate county distress | Safety Net & Buffer |
Orleans County ranks #2186 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Addison County | 19.3 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Washington County | 19.8 | very low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Chittenden County | 22.5 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Windsor County | 22.8 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Lamoille County | 23.2 | low county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
The gap between Vermont's most and least distressed counties is 19.9 points — Orleans County (39.2, low-moderate county distress) vs. Addison County (19.3, very low county distress).
Explore all 14 Vermont counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Vermont
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 725 mortgage complaints from Vermont since 2012 — 112.0 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Vermont ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 37 | 44 | 55 | 50 | 38 | 27 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Vermont
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. Vermont'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: Vermont
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 8.9% of Vermont residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 9.8% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 27.7% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Vermont
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: Vermont
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. Vermont scores 48.6 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #26 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 Vermont?
The credit card delinquency rate in Vermont is 9.0% as of Q4 2025, ranking #49 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 5.8% in 2019.
How does Vermont's household debt compare to the national average?
Vermont residents carry $52,910 in total debt per capita, below the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 13.8% since 2019. Vermont ranks #33 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Vermont?
Auto loan delinquency in Vermont stands at 2.8% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #50 nationally. The rate was 3.2% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Vermont use?
Vermont primarily uses judicial foreclosure. This means foreclosures must go through the court system, giving homeowners more time and procedural protections. See our full Vermont foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Vermont above or below the national average for financial distress?
Vermont scores 17.2 on the State Distress Index (very low state distress), ranking #48 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 32.8 points below 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 Vermont?
The CFPB has received 725 mortgage complaints from Vermont since 2012, a rate of 112.0 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #25 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 99% of Vermont complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Vermont?
Vermont had 283 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 43.7 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #49 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 77.7% and Chapter 13 for 21.9%. Filings changed +10.1% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Vermont have debt in collections?
8.9% of individuals in Vermont have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #46 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 9.8% of Vermont 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 Vermont?
58,866 residents of Vermont receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 9.1% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #33 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -9.4% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.4%.
How strong is Vermont's financial safety net?
Vermont scores 48.6 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #26 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (9.1%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (winding down), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Vermont counties have the highest financial distress?
Orleans County is the most distressed county in Vermont with a County Distress Index score of 39.2 · low-moderate county distress, ranking #2186 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Bennington County (36.3 · low-moderate county distress), Rutland County (34.8 · low-moderate county distress), Caledonia County (32.0 · low-moderate county distress) round out the top distressed counties. Addison County is the least distressed at 19.3 · very low county distress. See all 14 counties at /counties/vermont/.
How long can foreclosure take in Vermont?
Vermont uses judicial foreclosure, meaning every foreclosure goes through the court system. In Vermont, the bank can foreclose in roughly 210–360 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: Before the foreclosure complaint is filed (during the 30-day notice period) and …. The homestead exemption is $125,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/vermont/.
Where does Vermont rank for financial distress?
Vermont scores 17.2 on the State Distress Index (very low state distress), ranking #48 of 51 jurisdictions. Most metrics fall below national averages. The highest SDI domain is Debt Burden (housing basis). County Distress Index details are listed separately by county. The safety net ranks #26 (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.
Vermont 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.