Gilmer County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.5 | 32,860 people · 155th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Gilmer County, GA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.5 — 1811th 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 155th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Gilmer County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 75.1 — worse than roughly 75% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 75.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Economic Vitality 50.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 72
Rent-to-Income Ratio 39
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Structural Poverty 50.0
Unemployment Rate 10
Poverty Rate 50
Income vs. State Median 23
Child Poverty Rate 66
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Consumer Credit Distress 47.8
Debt in Collections 48
Medical Debt 77
Auto Loan Delinquency 25
Credit Card Delinquency 33
Uninsured Rate 89
Subprime Credit Population 44
Housing Cost Burden 30.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 44
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 18
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Gilmer County
Gilmer County, GA 46.5 Normal —
Murray County, GA 67.2 Serious +20.8
Gordon County, GA 62.3 Elevated +15.9
Pickens County, GA 57.8 Elevated +11.3
Dawson County, GA 51.8 Elevated +5.3
Fannin County, GA 50.9 Elevated +4.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Gilmer County
Mason County, IL 46.5 Normal 0.0
Mason County, WV 46.4 Normal -0.1
Pike County, IL 46.5 Normal +0.1
Kent County, MD 46.4 Normal -0.1
Parke County, IN 46.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Gilmer 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 Gilmer 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Gilmer County has a County Distress Index score of 46.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,811th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 155th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Gilmer County?

    The primary driver of distress in Gilmer County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 75.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Gilmer County compare to neighboring counties?

    Gilmer County (46.5) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Murray County, GA (67.2); Gordon County, GA (62.3); Pickens County, GA (57.8).

  • 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 Normal 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). Gilmer County's score of 46.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Gilmer 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 Gilmer County?

    Gilmer County, Georgia has a population of approximately 32,860 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.