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.