Candler County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.5 | 11,059 people · 66th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Candler County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.5 — 293rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Georgia, it ranks 66th of 159 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Candler County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 91.8 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 91.8
Debt in Collections 92
Medical Debt 90
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 89
Uninsured Rate 93
Subprime Credit Population 91
Structural Poverty 77.3
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 90
Income vs. State Median 74
Child Poverty Rate 93
Disability Rate 87
Transfer Income Dependency 87
Economic Vitality 59.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 58
Rent-to-Income Ratio 71
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 50.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 50
Housing Cost Burden 41.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 12
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 89

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Candler County
Candler County, GA 72.5 Serious —
Bulloch County, GA 74.4 Serious +1.9
Evans County, GA 72.6 Serious +0.2
Toombs County, GA 69.7 Serious -2.8
Emanuel County, GA 69.6 Serious -2.8
Tattnall County, GA 66.2 Serious -6.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Candler County
Johnson County, KY 72.5 Serious +0.0
Bradley County, AR 72.4 Serious -0.0
Warren County, NC 72.4 Serious -0.0
Clark County, AR 72.4 Serious -0.1
Hempstead County, AR 72.6 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Candler 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 Candler 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 Candler County, Georgia?

    Candler County has a County Distress Index score of 72.5 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 293rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Candler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Candler County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 91.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Candler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Candler County (72.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Bulloch County, GA (74.4); Evans County, GA (72.6); Toombs County, GA (69.7).

  • 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). Candler County's score of 72.5 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Candler 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 Candler County?

    Candler County, Georgia has a population of approximately 11,059 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.