Greene County, Alabama

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.9 | 7,341 people · 14th most distressed in Alabama
American Default Research

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Greene County, AL shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.9 — 271st 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 14th of 67 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Greene County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 95.0 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 95.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 95
Structural Poverty 92.6
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 87.3
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 47
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 94
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 95
Economic Vitality 72.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 5
House Price Change (YoY) 67
Housing Cost Burden 22.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 14
Homeownership Rate 72

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Greene County
Greene County, AL 72.9 Serious —
Sumter County, AL 76.7 Serious +3.9
Hale County, AL 72.1 Serious -0.8
Tuscaloosa County, AL 72.1 Serious -0.8
Marengo County, AL 72.0 Serious -0.9
Pickens County, AL 69.6 Serious -3.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greene County
Dimmit County, TX 72.8 Serious -0.1
Wilkinson County, GA 73.0 Serious +0.1
Lee County, KY 72.7 Serious -0.1
Jenkins County, GA 72.7 Serious -0.2
Hancock County, TN 72.7 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Greene 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

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Greene 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 Greene County, Alabama?

    Greene County has a County Distress Index score of 72.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 271st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Alabama out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greene County?

    The primary driver of distress in Greene County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 95.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Greene County compare to neighboring counties?

    Greene County (72.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sumter County, AL (76.7); Hale County, AL (72.1); Tuscaloosa County, AL (72.1).

  • 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). Greene County's score of 72.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Greene 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 Greene County?

    Greene County, Alabama has a population of approximately 7,341 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.