Distressed Communities Index
The Distressed Communities Index (DCI) is a leading resource for understanding the geography of economic distress and opportunity in the United States. First launched by the Economic Innovation Group in 2015 and updated annually, this groundbreaking dataset offers a comprehensive view of local economic health across the country — empowering the work of researchers, policymakers, investors, and community leaders alike.
The DCI has earned wide recognition and trust, cited by The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and hundreds of national and local media outlets. It has been used in influential academic research across disciplines, from economics and political science to public health and urban planning. Its insights have shaped legislation, guided philanthropic initiatives, and informed private sector business strategies.
About the DCI
The Distressed Communities Index (DCI) brings attention to the deep disparities in economic well-being that separate U.S. communities. The latest Census data is used to sort zip codes, counties, and congressional districts into five quintiles of well-being: prosperous, comfortable, mid-tier, at risk, and distressed. The index allows us to explore disparities within and across cities and states, as well.
The seven components of the index are:
No high school diploma: Share of the 25 and older population without a high school diploma or equivalent.
Housing vacancy rate: Share of habitable housing that is unoccupied, excluding properties that are for seasonal, recreational, or occasional use.
Adults not working: Share of the prime-age (25-54) population that is not currently employed.
Poverty rate: Share of the population below the poverty line.
Median income ratio: Median household income as a share of metro area median household income (or state, for non-metro areas and all congressional districts).
Changes in employment: Percent change in the number of jobs over the past five years.
Changes in establishments: Percent change in the number of business establishments over the past five years.
Data sources
The primary data source for the DCI is the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates. These ACS estimates are multiyear averages that provide the most statistically reliable data for smaller geographic units, such as zip codes and less populated counties. Census Business Patterns data is used to calculate employment and establishment growth.
Local Data
Bridges to Prosperity Northern IL has compiled the data for our local communities. View the charts for each location below: