Washington Financial Distress Profile
Composite distress data for 39 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 Washington? See your options under Washington law →
Washington ranks #33 nationally for household financial distress. The national State Distress Index average is 50.0.
How Does Washington Compare to the National Average?
Washington is above the national average on 2 of 5 key household distress metrics. Credit card delinquency stands at 9.3% (below the 12.4% national rate), auto loan delinquency at 3.8%, and total debt per capita at $85,880.
Since 2019, credit card delinquency in Washington has risen 3.5pp and total household debt has grown 27.3%. The state shows a mixed distress picture across different debt categories.
Key Statistics at a Glance
State Distress Index: Washington
Movement since 2006
Since 2006, Washington has eased from the 25th-most distressed jurisdiction to the 34th-most distressed, as of 2025 Q1. Its composite State Distress Index score fell from 56.0 to 43.6 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. Washington's State Distress Index of 44.9 (moderate-low state distress) is computed from 4 equal-weighted domains covering delinquency, default and legal signals, housing-basis debt burden, and labor.
Washington 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)Washington 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 Washington (#33) 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 | 5.8% | 9.3% | +3.5pp | 12.4% |
| Auto Loan Delinquency | 2.6% | 3.8% | +1.2pp | 5.2% |
| Mortgage Delinquency | 0.50% | 0.57% | +0.1pp | 0.94% |
| Total Debt per Capita | $67,440 | $85,880 | +27.3% | $63,200 |
| CC Balance per Capita | $3,660 | $4,640 | +26.8% | $4,350 |
Washington Foreclosure Law Summary
Understanding your state's foreclosure process is critical if you fall behind on mortgage payments. Washington primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure.
Non-judicial foreclosure via deed of trust power of sale under RCW 61.24 is the dominant method. Judicial foreclosure under RCW 61.12 is available but rarely used because it is more expensive and time-consuming.
- Post-sale redemption: Non-judicial trustee sale: NO post-sale redemption right (RCW 61.24.050). Judici…
- Foreclosure Fairness Act - CPA Tie-In
- Manufactured Home Protections on Foreclosure
State-Level Divergence
National averages mask wide variation across states. Washington's credit card delinquency of 9.3% 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 44.9 (moderate-low state distress), the pressure on Washington households is real. The Household Debt by State roundup tracks all 51 jurisdictions.
Distress by County
The County Distress Index scores every county in Washington on a 0-100 scale using five equal-weighted domains: delinquency, default and legal, debt burden, labor, and safety net and buffer. Washington's 39 counties average 47.9 — near the national county mean of 50.0.
Score Label Distribution
Loading interactive map…
Most Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Driver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yakima County | 66.7 | moderate-high county distress | Labor |
| Grays Harbor County | 59.9 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Lewis County | 58.5 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Grant County | 57.8 | moderate county distress | Labor |
| Adams County | 57.7 | moderate county distress | Labor |
Yakima County ranks #684 most distressed nationally out of 3,144 counties.
Least Distressed Counties
| County | Score | Score Label | Top Domain |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Juan County | 34.4 | low-moderate county distress | Debt Burden (housing basis) |
| Jefferson County | 37.4 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
| Lincoln County | 38.1 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
| Island County | 38.6 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
| King County | 39.1 | low-moderate county distress | Labor |
The gap between Washington's most and least distressed counties is 32.2 points — Yakima County (66.7, moderate-high county distress) vs. San Juan County (34.4, low-moderate county distress). That spread reveals two very different economic realities within the same state.
Explore all 39 Washington counties →CFPB Mortgage Complaints in Washington
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has received 10,245 mortgage complaints from Washington since 2012 — 131.1 per 100,000 residents, below the national rate of 133.2 per 100K. Washington ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions for complaint density.
| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Complaints | 542 | 588 | 475 | 422 | 469 | 510 |
Source: CFPB Consumer Complaint Database. Filed a mortgage complaint? Search the complaint database.
Bankruptcy Filings: Washington
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. Washington'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: Washington
The Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer tracks credit health metrics from Equifax data. 9.5% of Washington residents have debt in collections — below the national rate of 13.9%. 11.1% have subprime credit scores (below 620), and 29.9% are credit-constrained.
Source: Philadelphia Fed Consumer Credit Explorer. Data from NY Fed Consumer Credit Panel / Equifax. 2025 Q1.
Economic Context: Washington
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: Washington
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. Washington scores 38.8 out of 100 (Weak), ranking #38 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 Washington?
The credit card delinquency rate in Washington is 9.3% as of Q4 2025, ranking #46 among all states and DC. The national average is 12.4%. This rate has risen from 5.8% in 2019.
How does Washington's household debt compare to the national average?
Washington residents carry $85,880 in total debt per capita, above the national average of $63,200. Debt per capita has grown 27.3% since 2019. Washington ranks #4 nationally for total household debt per capita.
What is the auto loan delinquency rate in Washington?
Auto loan delinquency in Washington stands at 3.8% as of Q4 2025, below the national rate of 5.2%. This ranks #33 nationally. The rate has risen from 2.6% in 2019.
What type of foreclosure process does Washington use?
Washington primarily uses non-judicial foreclosure. This allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings, resulting in a faster process. See our full Washington foreclosure law guide for timelines, protections, and legal resources.
Is Washington above or below the national average for financial distress?
Washington scores 44.9 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions. That is 5.1 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 Washington?
The CFPB has received 10,245 mortgage complaints from Washington since 2012, a rate of 131.1 per 100,000 residents. This ranks #17 of 51 jurisdictions. The national average is 133.2 per 100K. Companies responded to 98.2% of Washington complaints within the required timeframe.
What is the bankruptcy filing rate in Washington?
Washington had 9,346 bankruptcy filings in the 12-month period ending Dec 2025, a rate of 119.6 per 100,000 residents — below the national rate of 169.1 per 100K. This ranks #31 of 51 jurisdictions. Chapter 7 filings account for 79.2% and Chapter 13 for 19.7%. Filings changed +14.3% year-over-year.
What percentage of people in Washington have debt in collections?
9.5% of individuals in Washington have debt in collections, below the national rate of 13.9%. This ranks #42 of 51 jurisdictions. Additionally, 11.1% of Washington 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 Washington?
867,536 residents of Washington receive SNAP benefits, an enrollment rate of 10.8% — below the national rate of 10.9%. This ranks #21 of 51 jurisdictions. SNAP participation has changed -4.3% year-over-year. The pre-pandemic rate was 10.0%.
How strong is Washington's financial safety net?
Washington scores 38.8 out of 100 on the Safety Net Index, ranking #38 of 51 jurisdictions (Weak). The score combines Medicaid coverage (18.7% enrollment rate, expansion state), SNAP enrollment (10.8%), Homeowner Assistance Fund status (exhausted), and foreclosure legal protections. The national average is 47.8.
Which Washington counties have the highest financial distress?
Yakima County is the most distressed county in Washington with a County Distress Index score of 66.7 · moderate-high county distress, ranking #684 nationally out of 3,144 counties. Grays Harbor County (59.9 · moderate county distress), Lewis County (58.5 · moderate county distress), Grant County (57.8 · moderate county distress) round out the top distressed counties. San Juan County is the least distressed at 34.4 · low-moderate county distress. See all 39 counties at /counties/washington/.
How long can foreclosure take in Washington?
Washington uses non-judicial foreclosure, which allows lenders to foreclose without court proceedings. In Washington, the bank can foreclose in roughly 190–240 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: Within 30 days of receiving the pre-foreclosure initial contact letter (RCW 61.2…. The homestead exemption is $125,000. Full details at /help/foreclosure/washington/.
Where does Washington rank for financial distress?
Washington scores 44.9 on the State Distress Index (moderate-low state distress), ranking #33 of 51 jurisdictions. 2 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 #38 (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.
Washington Foreclosure Statutes
State foreclosure law data compiled from primary statutory sources and validated against legal databases. Last verified 2026-03-04.
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.