Lanier County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 78.7 | 10,452 people · 30th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Lanier County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 78.7 — 92nd 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 30th of 159 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Lanier County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.6 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 90
Consumer Credit Distress 89.5
Debt in Collections 94
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 70
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 90
Subprime Credit Population 94
Economic Vitality 68.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 86
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 5
Housing Cost Burden 66.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 81
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 63
Structural Poverty 61.3
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 84
Disability Rate 42
Transfer Income Dependency 75

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lanier County
Lanier County, GA 78.7 Serious —
Lowndes County, GA 79.7 Serious +1.0
Atkinson County, GA 74.4 Serious -4.3
Clinch County, GA 68.4 Serious -10.3
Berrien County, GA 67.6 Serious -11.1
Echols County, GA 66.3 Serious -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lanier County
Sunflower County, MS 78.7 Serious +0.0
Decatur County, GA 78.7 Serious +0.1
Hardee County, FL 78.6 Serious -0.1
Kleberg County, TX 78.6 Serious -0.1
Panola County, MS 79.0 Serious +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lanier 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 Lanier 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 Lanier County, Georgia?

    Lanier County has a County Distress Index score of 78.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 92nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 30th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lanier County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lanier County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Lanier County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lanier County (78.7) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Lowndes County, GA (79.7); Atkinson County, GA (74.4); Clinch County, GA (68.4).

  • 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 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). Lanier County's score of 78.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Lanier 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 Lanier County?

    Lanier County, Georgia has a population of approximately 10,452 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.