Calhoun County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.9 | 5,457 people · 68th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Calhoun County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.9 — 322nd 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 68th of 159 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Calhoun 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
Consumer Credit Distress 80.8
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 63
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 75
Subprime Credit Population 95
Structural Poverty 80.8
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 64
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 61.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 59
Housing Cost Burden 44.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 32
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 32
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 89

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Calhoun County, GA 71.9 Serious —
Dougherty County, GA 87.3 Crisis +15.4
Randolph County, GA 84.9 Crisis +13.1
Early County, GA 77.9 Serious +6.1
Terrell County, GA 75.6 Serious +3.8
Clay County, GA 69.7 Serious -2.2
Baker County, GA 69.3 Serious -2.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Calhoun County
Marion County, GA 71.9 Serious -0.0
Lake County, TN 71.8 Serious -0.1
Turner County, GA 72.0 Serious +0.1
Dallas County, AR 72.3 Serious +0.4
Tensas Parish, LA 71.2 Serious -0.7

Download Data

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

Find Help in Calhoun 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 Calhoun 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 Calhoun County, Georgia?

    Calhoun County has a County Distress Index score of 71.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 322nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 68th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Calhoun County?

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

    Calhoun County (71.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Dougherty County, GA (87.3); Randolph County, GA (84.9); Early County, GA (77.9).

  • 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). Calhoun County's score of 71.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Calhoun 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 Calhoun County?

    Calhoun County, Georgia has a population of approximately 5,457 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.