Fayette County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 52.1 | 123,351 people · 146th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Fayette County, GA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 52.1 — 1447th 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 146th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 4 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Fayette County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 81.9 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 81.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 82
Housing Cost Burden 80.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 99
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 72
Homeownership Rate 15
Economic Vitality 61.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 94
Rent-to-Income Ratio 41
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 82
Consumer Credit Distress 44.5
Debt in Collections 38
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 64
Credit Card Delinquency 40
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 41
Structural Poverty 8.9
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 1
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 18
Transfer Income Dependency 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Fayette County, GA 52.1 Elevated —
Clayton County, GA 88.0 Crisis +35.9
Spalding County, GA 85.1 Crisis +33.1
Fulton County, GA 68.0 Serious +15.9
Coweta County, GA 55.3 Elevated +3.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fayette County
Bannock County, ID 52.1 Elevated -0.0
Rock Island County, IL 52.0 Elevated -0.1
St. Clair County, AL 52.2 Elevated +0.1
New Hanover County, NC 52.3 Elevated +0.2
Lenawee County, MI 51.8 Elevated -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fayette County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Fayette County.

VETERANS CENTER
Fayetteville
678-792-8387 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFair Housing

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 Fayette 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 Fayette County, Georgia?

    Fayette County has a County Distress Index score of 52.1 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,447th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 146th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fayette County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fayette County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 81.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Fayette County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fayette County (52.1) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Clayton County, GA (88.0); Spalding County, GA (85.1); Fulton County, GA (68.0).

  • 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). Fayette County's score of 52.1 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Fayette 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 Fayette County?

    Fayette County, Georgia has a population of approximately 123,351 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.