Oconee County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 18.6 | 44,182 people · 159th most distressed in Georgia
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Oconee County, GA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 18.6 — 3094th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Georgia, it ranks 159th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oconee County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 45.7 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 45.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 82
Rent-to-Income Ratio 1
Business Formation Rate 13
House Price Change (YoY) 57
Legal Distress 28.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 29
Consumer Credit Distress 17.9
Debt in Collections 10
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 12
Credit Card Delinquency 19
Uninsured Rate 32
Subprime Credit Population 11
Housing Cost Burden 15.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 9
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 12
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 12
Structural Poverty 2.7
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 5
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 1
Disability Rate 1
Transfer Income Dependency 1

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconee County
Oconee County, GA 18.6 Healthy —
Clarke County, GA 73.6 Serious +55.0
Walton County, GA 68.5 Serious +49.9
Barrow County, GA 68.1 Serious +49.5
Oglethorpe County, GA 61.1 Elevated +42.6
Morgan County, GA 52.6 Elevated +34.1
Jackson County, GA 51.4 Elevated +32.8
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal +29.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconee County
Chickasaw County, IA 18.7 Healthy +0.1
Leelanau County, MI 18.7 Healthy +0.2
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy -0.4
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy -0.4
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy -0.6

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oconee 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 Oconee 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 Oconee County, Georgia?

    Oconee County has a County Distress Index score of 18.6 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,094th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 159th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oconee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oconee County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 45.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Oconee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oconee County (18.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Clarke County, GA (73.6); Walton County, GA (68.5); Barrow County, GA (68.1).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Oconee County's score of 18.6 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Oconee 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 Oconee County?

    Oconee County, Georgia has a population of approximately 44,182 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.