Pickens County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.8 | 35,969 people · 134th most distressed in Georgia
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Pickens County, GA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.8 — 1093rd 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 134th of 159 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pickens County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.2 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 89
Economic Vitality 80.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 96
Rent-to-Income Ratio 91
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 83
Consumer Credit Distress 58.7
Debt in Collections 59
Medical Debt 72
Auto Loan Delinquency 64
Credit Card Delinquency 50
Uninsured Rate 79
Subprime Credit Population 44
Housing Cost Burden 52.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 72
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 30
Structural Poverty 30.5
Unemployment Rate 8
Poverty Rate 21
Income vs. State Median 6
Child Poverty Rate 42
Disability Rate 77
Transfer Income Dependency 35

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pickens County
Pickens County, GA 57.8 Elevated —
Bartow County, GA 67.4 Serious +9.6
Gordon County, GA 62.3 Elevated +4.6
Dawson County, GA 51.8 Elevated -6.0
Cherokee County, GA 47.3 Normal -10.4
Gilmer County, GA 46.5 Normal -11.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pickens County
Lincoln County, KY 57.8 Elevated 0.0
Gallia County, OH 57.8 Elevated 0.0
Franklin County, FL 57.8 Elevated -0.0
Knox County, IL 57.8 Elevated +0.0
Henderson County, TN 57.8 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pickens 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 Pickens 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 Pickens County, Georgia?

    Pickens County has a County Distress Index score of 57.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,093rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 134th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pickens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pickens County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Pickens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pickens County (57.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Bartow County, GA (67.4); Gordon County, GA (62.3); 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). Pickens County's score of 57.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Pickens 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 Pickens County?

    Pickens County, Georgia has a population of approximately 35,969 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.