DeKalb County, Alabama

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.7 | 72,569 people · 49th most distressed in Alabama
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DeKalb County, AL registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.7 — 1105th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Alabama, it ranks 49th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. DeKalb County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 73.0 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 73.0
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 79
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 88
Subprime Credit Population 74
Legal Distress 71.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 71
Structural Poverty 61.1
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 90
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 88
Disability Rate 50
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Housing Cost Burden 29.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 29
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 31
Homeownership Rate 37
Economic Vitality 29.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 4
Rent-to-Income Ratio 22
Business Formation Rate 90
House Price Change (YoY) 64

Scores are percentile-based: 50 = national median, higher = more distressed.

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
DeKalb County, AL 57.7 Elevated —
Chattooga County, GA 73.5 Serious +15.8
Etowah County, AL 73.5 Serious +15.8
Walker County, GA 73.4 Serious +15.7
Marshall County, AL 57.6 Elevated -0.1
Cherokee County, AL 56.6 Elevated -1.1
Jackson County, AL 55.1 Elevated -2.6
Dade County, GA 53.8 Elevated -3.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
Cochise County, AZ 57.6 Elevated -0.0
McCracken County, KY 57.7 Elevated +0.0
Marshall County, AL 57.6 Elevated -0.1
Sutter County, CA 57.6 Elevated -0.1
Anderson County, SC 57.8 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for DeKalb County as a CSV file.

Find Help in DeKalb County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near DeKalb County.

COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF NORTHEAST ALABAMA, INC.
Rainsville
256-638-4430
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/Displacement

See all counselors in Alabama →

Find an Attorney

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-392-5660

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving DeKalb County residents at no cost.

Legal Services Alabama 1-866-456-4995
Alabama State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-392-5660

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Alabama →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for DeKalb County, Alabama?

    DeKalb County has a County Distress Index score of 57.7 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,105th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Alabama out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in DeKalb County?

    The primary driver of distress in DeKalb County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 73.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does DeKalb County compare to neighboring counties?

    DeKalb County (57.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Chattooga County, GA (73.5); Etowah County, AL (73.5); Walker County, GA (73.4).

  • How is the County Distress Index calculated?

    The County Distress Index uses PCA-weighted percentile scoring across five statistically derived factors: Consumer Credit Distress (47.5%), Housing Cost Burden (22.3%), Structural Poverty (13.6%), Economic Vitality (9.2%), and Legal Distress (7.4%). Each county's indicators are ranked against all 3,144 U.S. counties. A score of 50 means the county is at the national median; higher scores indicate greater distress.

  • How often is the CDI updated?

    Annually, aligned to Census American Community Survey and Urban Institute Debt in America release windows — the slowest-moving source inputs. Between annual refreshes, faster-cadence indicators (BLS unemployment, QCEW wages) may drive light mid-year updates if a specific component moves meaningfully. Current data compiled April 14, 2026; next full refresh early 2027.

  • What does the Elevated zone mean?

    The CDI divides counties into five zones: Healthy (below 46), Normal (46–55), Elevated (55–71), Serious (71–86), and Crisis (86 and above). DeKalb County's score of 57.7 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power DeKalb County's CDI score?

    DeKalb County's CDI score draws on Urban Institute Debt in America (Equifax credit-bureau panel), U.S. Census Bureau (American Community Survey 5-year, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates), Bureau of Labor Statistics (LAUS, QCEW), U.S. Courts Administrative Office (F-5A bankruptcy filings), and HUD Fair Market Rents. Every number on this page traces to one of these public sources.

  • What is the population of DeKalb County?

    DeKalb County, Alabama has a population of approximately 72,569 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.