DeKalb County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 75.7 | 762,992 people · 42nd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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DeKalb County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 75.7 — 162nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Georgia, it ranks 42nd of 159 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. DeKalb County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 94.5 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 94.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 99
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 96
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 94
Legal Distress 92.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 93
Consumer Credit Distress 80.6
Debt in Collections 82
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 89
Credit Card Delinquency 91
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 85
Economic Vitality 67.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 91
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Structural Poverty 24.6
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 48
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 7

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
DeKalb County, GA 75.7 Serious —
Clayton County, GA 88.0 Crisis +12.3
Rockdale County, GA 84.4 Crisis +8.7
Henry County, GA 78.3 Serious +2.6
Gwinnett County, GA 68.5 Serious -7.2
Fulton County, GA 68.0 Serious -7.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. DeKalb County
Richland County, SC 75.5 Serious -0.2
Mobile County, AL 76.2 Serious +0.5
Nueces County, TX 76.3 Serious +0.6
Lubbock County, TX 74.3 Serious -1.4
Cumberland County, NC 74.3 Serious -1.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in DeKalb County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near DeKalb County.

ATLANTA LEGAL AID SOCIETY, INC.
Decatur
770-817-7520 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingPre-Lease/Pre-PurchasePre-Purchase
CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ATLANTA
Atlanta
770-790-3112 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling
CENTER FOR PAN ASIAN COMMUNITY SERVICES, INC
Atlanta
770-936-0969 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFinancial CounselingFair Housing
GEORGIA HOUSING AND FINANCE AUTHORITY
ATLANTA
404-492-1095
HELP THE PEOPLE PROGRAM HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY
Decatur
404-688-7766 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpHomeless/DisplacementPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Georgia →

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 DeKalb 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 DeKalb County, Georgia?

    DeKalb County has a County Distress Index score of 75.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 162nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in DeKalb County?

    The primary driver of distress in DeKalb County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 94.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does DeKalb County compare to neighboring counties?

    DeKalb County (75.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Clayton County, GA (88.0); Rockdale County, GA (84.4); Henry County, GA (78.3).

  • 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). DeKalb County's score of 75.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    DeKalb 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 DeKalb County?

    DeKalb County, Georgia has a population of approximately 762,992 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a large county.