Colquitt County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.9 | 46,167 people · 69th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Colquitt County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.9 — 323rd 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 69th of 159 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Colquitt County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Consumer Credit Distress 82.0
Debt in Collections 83
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 77
Credit Card Delinquency 79
Uninsured Rate 97
Subprime Credit Population 95
Structural Poverty 71.2
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 80
Child Poverty Rate 96
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 69
Economic Vitality 52.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 77
Business Formation Rate 35
House Price Change (YoY) 6
Housing Cost Burden 49.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 88

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Colquitt County
Colquitt County, GA 71.9 Serious —
Mitchell County, GA 87.7 Crisis +15.8
Brooks County, GA 81.0 Crisis +9.1
Cook County, GA 80.7 Crisis +8.8
Worth County, GA 76.7 Serious +4.9
Thomas County, GA 75.5 Serious +3.6
Tift County, GA 70.2 Serious -1.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Colquitt County
Okfuskee County, OK 71.8 Serious -0.1
McIntosh County, OK 71.9 Serious +0.1
Lee County, VA 72.0 Serious +0.1
Marengo County, AL 72.0 Serious +0.1
Colonial Heights city, VA 72.0 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Colquitt 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 Colquitt 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 Colquitt County, Georgia?

    Colquitt County has a County Distress Index score of 71.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 323rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 69th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Colquitt County?

    The primary driver of distress in Colquitt County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Colquitt County compare to neighboring counties?

    Colquitt County (71.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Mitchell County, GA (87.7); Brooks County, GA (81.0); Cook County, GA (80.7).

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

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

    Colquitt 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 Colquitt County?

    Colquitt County, Georgia has a population of approximately 46,167 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.