Dodge County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 74.0 | 19,776 people · 55th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Dodge County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 74.0 — 228th 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 55th of 159 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Dodge County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 91.6 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 91.6
Debt in Collections 90
Medical Debt 86
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 91
Subprime Credit Population 92
Structural Poverty 80.7
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 85
Child Poverty Rate 90
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 87
Economic Vitality 69.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 74
Rent-to-Income Ratio 80
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Legal Distress 47.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Housing Cost Burden 42.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 76

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Dodge County, GA 74.0 Serious —
Telfair County, GA 77.3 Serious +3.3
Pulaski County, GA 75.5 Serious +1.5
Laurens County, GA 74.8 Serious +0.8
Bleckley County, GA 71.6 Serious -2.4
Wilcox County, GA 67.6 Serious -6.4
Wheeler County, GA 66.7 Serious -7.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Dodge County
Trinity County, TX 74.0 Serious +0.0
Winston County, MS 74.1 Serious +0.1
Grenada County, MS 74.1 Serious +0.1
Marlboro County, SC 74.1 Serious +0.1
Warren County, MS 73.8 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Dodge 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 Dodge 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 Dodge County, Georgia?

    Dodge County has a County Distress Index score of 74.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 228th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 55th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Dodge County?

    The primary driver of distress in Dodge County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 91.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Dodge County compare to neighboring counties?

    Dodge County (74.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Telfair County, GA (77.3); Pulaski County, GA (75.5); Laurens County, GA (74.8).

  • 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). Dodge County's score of 74.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Dodge 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 Dodge County?

    Dodge County, Georgia has a population of approximately 19,776 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.