Newton County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Crisis · 82.7 | 120,135 people · 13th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Newton County, GA ranks among the most financially distressed counties in America with a score of 82.7 — 33rd 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 13th of 159 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newton County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 98.8 — worse than roughly 99% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 98.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 99
Consumer Credit Distress 91.3
Debt in Collections 94
Medical Debt 70
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 99
Uninsured Rate 78
Subprime Credit Population 99
Housing Cost Burden 89.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 99
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 92
Homeownership Rate 53
Economic Vitality 78.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 93
Business Formation Rate 3
House Price Change (YoY) 85
Structural Poverty 36.3
Unemployment Rate 64
Poverty Rate 36
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 41

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newton County
Newton County, GA 82.7 Crisis —
Rockdale County, GA 84.4 Crisis +1.7
Henry County, GA 78.3 Serious -4.4
Butts County, GA 77.7 Serious -5.0
Walton County, GA 68.5 Serious -14.2
Jasper County, GA 63.4 Elevated -19.3
Morgan County, GA 52.6 Elevated -30.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newton County
Caddo Parish, LA 82.7 Crisis -0.0
Troup County, GA 82.3 Crisis -0.4
Muscogee County, GA 82.1 Crisis -0.6
Portsmouth city, VA 81.9 Crisis -0.8
Hinds County, MS 83.6 Crisis +0.9

Download Data

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

Find Help in Newton 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 Newton 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 Newton County, Georgia?

    Newton County has a County Distress Index score of 82.7 out of 100, placing it in the Crisis zone. It ranks 33rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Newton County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 98.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Newton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Newton County (82.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Rockdale County, GA (84.4); Henry County, GA (78.3); Butts County, GA (77.7).

  • 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 Crisis 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). Newton County's score of 82.7 sits in the Crisis zone (86 and above).

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

    Newton 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 Newton County?

    Newton County, Georgia has a population of approximately 120,135 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.