Top Property-Distress Markets by Filing Volume
County ranking across our coverage states by property-related court-filing activity, most active first. See methodology.
Based on public court filings, analyzed by Keystone. As of October 2026.
Top 25 counties by filing activity
| Rank | County | State | Report |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mecklenburg County | North Carolina | View |
| 2 | Allen County | Indiana | View |
| 3 | Ocean County | New Jersey | View |
| 4 | Marion County | Indiana | View |
| 5 | Montgomery County | Pennsylvania | View |
| 6 | St. Joseph County | Indiana | View |
| 7 | Monmouth County | New Jersey | View |
| 8 | Lake County | Indiana | View |
| 9 | Elkhart County | Indiana | View |
| 10 | Essex County | New Jersey | |
| 11 | Wake County | North Carolina | View |
| 12 | Bucks County | Pennsylvania | View |
| 13 | Vanderburgh County | Indiana | View |
| 14 | Kosciusko County | Indiana | View |
| 15 | DeKalb County | Indiana | View |
| 16 | Hendricks County | Indiana | View |
| 17 | Huntington County | Indiana | View |
| 18 | Noble County | Indiana | View |
| 19 | Porter County | Indiana | View |
| 20 | Clearfield County | Pennsylvania | View |
| 21 | Northampton County | Pennsylvania | View |
| 22 | Cumberland County | Pennsylvania | View |
| 23 | Whitley County | Indiana | View |
| 24 | Steuben County | Indiana | View |
| 25 | Guilford County | North Carolina | View |
"Report" link appears for counties whose dataset meets the sample threshold for an individual county-intelligence page. Smaller counties roll up into the state-level digest.
By state
| State | State report |
|---|---|
| DE | |
| Indiana | View |
| New Jersey | View |
| North Carolina | View |
| Pennsylvania | View |
Methodology
- Based on public court filings, analyzed by Keystone. As of October 2026.
- Covers property-related court filings only: foreclosure, probate, divorce, partition, guardianship, tax sale, and related case types.
- Rankings update the same day they're filed.
- Rankings show order only, most active county first.
Cite: Keystone Court Data, "Top Property-Distress Markets by Filing Volume," 2026-10-21, https://keystonecourtdata.com/reports/top-distress-markets
Frequently Asked Questions
Which markets have the most distressed properties in 2026?
Distress concentration varies by county and changes over time. Keystone's intelligence reports break down the filing mix, lenders and property values by county so you can compare markets.
How do I find the best markets for distressed property investing?
Look for counties with high filing volume relative to population, favorable foreclosure timelines, and property values that support your investment strategy. Keystone's county intelligence reports provide per-county comparisons.
Are foreclosure filings increasing in 2026?
Filing trends vary by state and county and change over time. Check Keystone's county-level reports for your market.
What causes foreclosure rates to rise or fall?
Interest rates, employment, household finances and local economic conditions all play a part, and the mix differs by market. Court filings reflect legal actions that were actually filed, not predictions.