Geneva County, Alabama

County Distress Index: Serious · 69.2 | 26,988 people · 25th most distressed in Alabama
American Default Research

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Geneva County, AL shows significant household financial distress with a score of 69.2 — 425th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Alabama, it ranks 25th of 67 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Geneva County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Consumer Credit Distress 82.6
Debt in Collections 84
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 82
Credit Card Delinquency 96
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 86
Structural Poverty 69.9
Unemployment Rate 1
Poverty Rate 83
Income vs. State Median 62
Child Poverty Rate 85
Disability Rate 94
Transfer Income Dependency 82
Economic Vitality 67.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 73
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Housing Cost Burden 31.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 20
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 42
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 39
Homeownership Rate 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Geneva County
Geneva County, AL 69.2 Serious —
Jackson County, FL 76.3 Serious +7.1
Covington County, AL 67.2 Serious -2.1
Houston County, AL 65.3 Serious -4.0
Holmes County, FL 62.8 Elevated -6.4
Dale County, AL 62.4 Elevated -6.8
Coffee County, AL 56.3 Elevated -13.0
Walton County, FL 52.5 Elevated -16.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Geneva County
Heard County, GA 69.2 Serious -0.0
Yalobusha County, MS 69.2 Serious -0.0
Pointe Coupee Parish, LA 69.2 Serious -0.0
Tyler County, TX 69.3 Serious +0.0
Erath County, TX 69.2 Serious -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Geneva County

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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

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Legal aid organizations serving Geneva County residents at no cost.

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Geneva County has a County Distress Index score of 69.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 425th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 25th in Alabama out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Geneva County?

    The primary driver of distress in Geneva County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Geneva County compare to neighboring counties?

    Geneva County (69.2) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Jackson County, FL (76.3); Covington County, AL (67.2); Houston County, AL (65.3).

  • 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 Serious 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). Geneva County's score of 69.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Geneva 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 Geneva County?

    Geneva County, Alabama has a population of approximately 26,988 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.