Lumpkin County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.4 | 35,258 people · 132nd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Lumpkin County, GA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.4 — 1047th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Georgia, it ranks 132nd 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. Lumpkin County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 76.2 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 76.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 90
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 27
Legal Distress 65.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 65
Economic Vitality 61.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 55
Consumer Credit Distress 55.4
Debt in Collections 55
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 33
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 79
Subprime Credit Population 51
Structural Poverty 33.8
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 62
Income vs. State Median 10
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 20
Transfer Income Dependency 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Lumpkin County
Lumpkin County, GA 58.4 Elevated —
Hall County, GA 62.8 Elevated +4.4
White County, GA 55.1 Elevated -3.3
Dawson County, GA 51.8 Elevated -6.6
Fannin County, GA 50.9 Elevated -7.5
Union County, GA 40.2 Normal -18.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Lumpkin County
Gulf County, FL 58.4 Elevated -0.0
Trigg County, KY 58.4 Elevated +0.0
Coshocton County, OH 58.4 Elevated +0.0
Gates County, NC 58.3 Elevated -0.1
Amherst County, VA 58.5 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County, Georgia?

    Lumpkin County has a County Distress Index score of 58.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,047th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 132nd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Lumpkin County?

    The primary driver of distress in Lumpkin County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 76.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Lumpkin County compare to neighboring counties?

    Lumpkin County (58.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Hall County, GA (62.8); White County, GA (55.1); Dawson County, GA (51.8).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Lumpkin County's score of 58.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Lumpkin 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 Lumpkin County?

    Lumpkin County, Georgia has a population of approximately 35,258 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.