Coffee County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.1 | 43,317 people · 72nd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Coffee County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.1 — 347th 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 72nd of 159 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 8 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Coffee County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 97.0 — worse than roughly 97% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 97.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 97
Consumer Credit Distress 87.0
Debt in Collections 89
Medical Debt 90
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 85
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 95
Structural Poverty 68.7
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 92
Income vs. State Median 72
Child Poverty Rate 91
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 62
Economic Vitality 53.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 46
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 96
Housing Cost Burden 37.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 27
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 88

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Coffee County
Coffee County, GA 71.1 Serious —
Ware County, GA 83.4 Crisis +12.4
Ben Hill County, GA 77.3 Serious +6.2
Telfair County, GA 77.3 Serious +6.2
Atkinson County, GA 74.4 Serious +3.3
Irwin County, GA 68.8 Serious -2.3
Bacon County, GA 68.1 Serious -3.0
Berrien County, GA 67.6 Serious -3.5
Jeff Davis County, GA 63.9 Elevated -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Coffee County
Frio County, TX 71.1 Serious +0.0
Matagorda County, TX 71.0 Serious -0.0
Magoffin County, KY 71.1 Serious +0.1
Choctaw County, OK 71.3 Serious +0.2
Screven County, GA 70.8 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Coffee 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 Coffee 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Georgia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Coffee County has a County Distress Index score of 71.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 347th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 72nd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Coffee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Coffee County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 97.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Coffee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Coffee County (71.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Ware County, GA (83.4); Ben Hill County, GA (77.3); Telfair County, GA (77.3).

  • 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). Coffee County's score of 71.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Coffee 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 Coffee County?

    Coffee County, Georgia has a population of approximately 43,317 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.