Catoosa County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.1 | 68,910 people · 131st most distressed in Georgia
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Catoosa County, GA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.1 — 1012th 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 131st of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 3 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Catoosa County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 96.3 — worse than roughly 96% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 96.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 96
Economic Vitality 80.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 72
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Consumer Credit Distress 61.0
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 84
Auto Loan Delinquency 49
Credit Card Delinquency 53
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 61
Housing Cost Burden 51.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 63
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 47
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 46
Structural Poverty 30.9
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 12
Child Poverty Rate 34
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 37

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Catoosa County
Catoosa County, GA 59.1 Elevated —
Walker County, GA 73.4 Serious +14.3
Whitfield County, GA 64.1 Elevated +5.0
Hamilton County, TN 60.5 Elevated +1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Catoosa County
Lafourche Parish, LA 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Yuma County, AZ 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Clark County, IN 59.1 Elevated +0.0
Jefferson County, TN 59.0 Elevated -0.1
Chemung County, NY 58.9 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Catoosa 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 Catoosa 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 Catoosa County, Georgia?

    Catoosa County has a County Distress Index score of 59.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,012th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 131st in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Catoosa County?

    The primary driver of distress in Catoosa County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 96.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Catoosa County compare to neighboring counties?

    Catoosa County (59.1) can be compared to its 3 neighboring counties: Walker County, GA (73.4); Whitfield County, GA (64.1); Hamilton County, TN (60.5).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Catoosa County's score of 59.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Catoosa 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 Catoosa County?

    Catoosa County, Georgia has a population of approximately 68,910 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.