Harris County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Normal · 43.9 | 36,654 people · 156th most distressed in Georgia
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Harris County, GA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 43.9 — 1964th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Georgia, it ranks 156th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Harris County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 62.6 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 62.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 63
Consumer Credit Distress 56.8
Debt in Collections 55
Medical Debt 64
Auto Loan Delinquency 70
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 40
Subprime Credit Population 57
Economic Vitality 40.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 69
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 30
House Price Change (YoY) 32
Housing Cost Burden 27.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 76
Homeownership Rate 1
Structural Poverty 17.9
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 10
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 13
Disability Rate 46
Transfer Income Dependency 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harris County
Harris County, GA 43.9 Normal —
Troup County, GA 82.3 Crisis +38.4
Muscogee County, GA 82.1 Crisis +38.2
Meriwether County, GA 76.1 Serious +32.3
Talbot County, GA 74.4 Serious +30.5
Chambers County, AL 68.5 Serious +24.6
Lee County, AL 63.4 Elevated +19.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harris County
Hill County, MT 43.8 Normal -0.0
Perry County, PA 43.9 Normal +0.0
Greene County, NY 43.8 Normal -0.1
Crook County, OR 44.0 Normal +0.1
Okanogan County, WA 44.0 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harris 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 Harris 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 Harris County, Georgia?

    Harris County has a County Distress Index score of 43.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,964th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 156th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harris County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harris County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 62.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Harris County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harris County (43.9) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Troup County, GA (82.3); Muscogee County, GA (82.1); Meriwether County, GA (76.1).

  • 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). Harris County's score of 43.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Harris 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 Harris County?

    Harris County, Georgia has a population of approximately 36,654 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.