Jenkins County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.7 | 8,627 people · 64th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Jenkins County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.7 — 280th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Georgia, it ranks 64th 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. Jenkins County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 93.2 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 93.2
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 86
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 93
Subprime Credit Population 95
Structural Poverty 81.9
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 94
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 87
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Legal Distress 73.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Economic Vitality 53.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 90
Business Formation Rate 21
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 30.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 94
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jenkins County
Jenkins County, GA 72.7 Serious —
Burke County, GA 78.0 Serious +5.3
Bulloch County, GA 74.4 Serious +1.7
Screven County, GA 70.8 Serious -1.9
Emanuel County, GA 69.6 Serious -3.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jenkins County
Hancock County, TN 72.7 Serious -0.0
Lee County, KY 72.7 Serious +0.1
Dimmit County, TX 72.8 Serious +0.1
Greene County, AL 72.9 Serious +0.2
Wilkinson County, GA 73.0 Serious +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jenkins 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 Jenkins 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 Jenkins County, Georgia?

    Jenkins County has a County Distress Index score of 72.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 280th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 64th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jenkins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jenkins County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 93.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Jenkins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jenkins County (72.7) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Burke County, GA (78.0); Bulloch County, GA (74.4); Screven County, GA (70.8).

  • 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 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). Jenkins County's score of 72.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Jenkins 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 Jenkins County?

    Jenkins County, Georgia has a population of approximately 8,627 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.