Heard County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 69.2 | 12,034 people · 82nd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Heard County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 69.2 — 426th 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 82nd of 159 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Heard County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.9 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 90
Economic Vitality 75.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Consumer Credit Distress 74.7
Debt in Collections 71
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 28
Credit Card Delinquency 92
Uninsured Rate 87
Subprime Credit Population 93
Structural Poverty 59.5
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 70
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 59
Housing Cost Burden 53.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 75
Homeownership Rate 62

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Heard County
Heard County, GA 69.2 Serious —
Troup County, GA 82.3 Crisis +13.0
Carroll County, GA 76.9 Serious +7.7
Randolph County, AL 66.1 Serious -3.1
Coweta County, GA 55.3 Elevated -14.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Heard County
Yalobusha County, MS 69.2 Serious 0.0
Geneva County, AL 69.2 Serious +0.0
Pointe Coupee Parish, LA 69.2 Serious -0.0
Erath County, TX 69.2 Serious -0.0
Tyler County, TX 69.3 Serious +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Heard 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 Heard 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 Heard County, Georgia?

    Heard County has a County Distress Index score of 69.2 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 426th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 82nd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Heard County?

    The primary driver of distress in Heard County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Heard County compare to neighboring counties?

    Heard County (69.2) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Troup County, GA (82.3); Carroll County, GA (76.9); Randolph County, AL (66.1).

  • 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 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). Heard County's score of 69.2 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Heard 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 Heard County?

    Heard County, Georgia has a population of approximately 12,034 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.