Barrow County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 68.1 | 92,792 people · 90th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Barrow County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 68.1 — 488th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Georgia, it ranks 90th of 159 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Barrow County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.7 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 90
Economic Vitality 79.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 97
Rent-to-Income Ratio 96
Business Formation Rate 8
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Consumer Credit Distress 73.9
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 79
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 81
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 84
Housing Cost Burden 71.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 82
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 89
Homeownership Rate 21
Structural Poverty 22.4
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 31
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 38
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Barrow County
Barrow County, GA 68.1 Serious —
Clarke County, GA 73.6 Serious +5.5
Gwinnett County, GA 68.5 Serious +0.4
Walton County, GA 68.5 Serious +0.4
Hall County, GA 62.8 Elevated -5.3
Jackson County, GA 51.4 Elevated -16.7
Oconee County, GA 18.6 Healthy -49.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Barrow County
Talladega County, AL 68.0 Serious -0.0
Lake County, CA 68.0 Serious -0.1
Cabell County, WV 68.2 Serious +0.1
Monroe County, PA 68.2 Serious +0.1
Camden County, GA 68.2 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Barrow County

Find an Attorney

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

State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service 404-527-8700

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Barrow County residents at no cost.

Atlanta Legal Aid Society 404-524-5811
Georgia Legal Services Program 1-888-257-4567
Georgia Legal Aid
State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service 404-527-8700

Self-Help Resources

Georgia Legal Aid — Housing Self-help guides for Georgia foreclosure process, rights, and defenses
DCA Georgia HAF Resources Assistance programs and housing counselor referrals

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Barrow County, Georgia?

    Barrow County has a County Distress Index score of 68.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 488th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 90th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Barrow County?

    The primary driver of distress in Barrow County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Barrow County compare to neighboring counties?

    Barrow County (68.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Clarke County, GA (73.6); Gwinnett County, GA (68.5); Walton County, GA (68.5).

  • 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). Barrow County's score of 68.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Barrow 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 Barrow County?

    Barrow County, Georgia has a population of approximately 92,792 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.