Jefferson County, Alabama

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.2 | 662,895 people · 15th most distressed in Alabama
American Default Research

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Jefferson County, AL shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.2 — 306th 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 15th of 67 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jefferson 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
Housing Cost Burden 85.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 91
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 91
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 48
Homeownership Rate 87
Consumer Credit Distress 80.5
Debt in Collections 82
Medical Debt 72
Auto Loan Delinquency 94
Credit Card Delinquency 77
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 83
Economic Vitality 33.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 15
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 7
House Price Change (YoY) 68
Structural Poverty 32.9
Unemployment Rate 4
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 14
Child Poverty Rate 67
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Jefferson County, AL 72.2 Serious —
Bibb County, AL 75.0 Serious +2.9
Tuscaloosa County, AL 72.1 Serious -0.1
Walker County, AL 62.6 Elevated -9.5
Blount County, AL 58.2 Elevated -14.0
St. Clair County, AL 52.2 Elevated -20.0
Shelby County, AL 46.6 Normal -25.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jefferson County
Essex County, NJ 72.2 Serious +0.0
Marion County, FL 71.9 Serious -0.3
Bell County, TX 72.5 Serious +0.3
East Baton Rouge Parish, LA 72.6 Serious +0.5
Marion County, IN 73.0 Serious +0.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jefferson County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Jefferson County.

BIRMINGHAM URBAN LEAGUE, INC.
Birmingham
205-326-0162
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingHomeless/Displacement
HISPANIC INTEREST COALITION OF ALABAMA
Birmingham
205-942-5505 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES OF BIRMINGHAM, INC.
Birmingham
205-328-4292 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase
NSC (NACA COUNSELING SUBSIDIARY) - BIRMINGHAM, AL
Birmingham
205-942-8111 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingPost-Purchase
OPERATION HOPE- BIRMINGHAM AL
Birmingham
205-478-0557 Website
Mortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingPre-Purchase

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 Jefferson 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 Jefferson County, Alabama?

    Jefferson County has a County Distress Index score of 72.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 306th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 15th in Alabama out of 67 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jefferson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jefferson 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 Jefferson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jefferson County (72.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Bibb County, AL (75.0); Tuscaloosa County, AL (72.1); Walker County, AL (62.6).

  • 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). Jefferson County's score of 72.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Jefferson 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 Jefferson County?

    Jefferson County, Alabama has a population of approximately 662,895 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.