Hancock County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Crisis · 85.9 | 8,676 people · 6th most distressed in Georgia
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Hancock County, GA ranks among the most financially distressed counties in America with a score of 85.9 — 12th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within Georgia, it ranks 6th of 159 counties. It scores higher than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hancock County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 93.3 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 93.3
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Consumer Credit Distress 90.2
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 90
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 50
Subprime Credit Population 94
Legal Distress 88.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 88
Housing Cost Burden 80.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 95
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 33
Economic Vitality 63.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 94
Business Formation Rate 25
House Price Change (YoY) 62

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Hancock County, GA 85.9 Crisis —
Baldwin County, GA 85.4 Crisis -0.5
Washington County, GA 79.0 Serious -6.8
Taliaferro County, GA 70.4 Serious -15.5
Warren County, GA 67.7 Serious -18.2
Putnam County, GA 65.3 Serious -20.5
Glascock County, GA 60.6 Elevated -25.2
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal -37.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hancock County
Randolph County, GA 84.9 Crisis -0.9
Lee County, AR 83.7 Crisis -2.2
Noxubee County, MS 83.5 Crisis -2.4
Tunica County, MS 88.5 Crisis +2.7
East Carroll Parish, LA 82.9 Crisis -2.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hancock 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 Hancock 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 Hancock County, Georgia?

    Hancock County has a County Distress Index score of 85.9 out of 100, placing it in the Crisis zone. It ranks 12th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hancock County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hancock County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 93.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Hancock County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hancock County (85.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Baldwin County, GA (85.4); Washington County, GA (79.0); Taliaferro County, GA (70.4).

  • 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 Crisis 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). Hancock County's score of 85.9 sits in the Crisis zone (86 and above).

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

    Hancock 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 Hancock County?

    Hancock County, Georgia has a population of approximately 8,676 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.