Putnam County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 65.3 | 23,129 people · 107th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Putnam County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 65.3 — 626th 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 107th of 159 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Putnam County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 77.8 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 77.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 97
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 97
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 47
Homeownership Rate 9
Legal Distress 75.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 76
Consumer Credit Distress 62.7
Debt in Collections 72
Medical Debt 88
Auto Loan Delinquency 62
Credit Card Delinquency 23
Uninsured Rate 75
Subprime Credit Population 64
Economic Vitality 55.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 67
Business Formation Rate 11
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Structural Poverty 55.0
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 65
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 81
Disability Rate 72
Transfer Income Dependency 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Putnam County, GA 65.3 Serious —
Hancock County, GA 85.9 Crisis +20.5
Baldwin County, GA 85.4 Crisis +20.1
Jasper County, GA 63.4 Elevated -2.0
Jones County, GA 62.4 Elevated -2.9
Morgan County, GA 52.6 Elevated -12.7
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal -17.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Putnam County
Monroe County, AL 65.3 Serious +0.0
Stone County, MS 65.3 Serious -0.0
Haskell County, OK 65.3 Serious -0.0
Carter County, KY 65.4 Serious +0.1
Monroe County, MS 65.4 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Putnam 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 Putnam 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 Putnam County, Georgia?

    Putnam County has a County Distress Index score of 65.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 626th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 107th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Putnam County?

    The primary driver of distress in Putnam County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 77.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Putnam County compare to neighboring counties?

    Putnam County (65.3) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hancock County, GA (85.9); Baldwin County, GA (85.4); Jasper County, GA (63.4).

  • 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). Putnam County's score of 65.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Putnam 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 Putnam County?

    Putnam County, Georgia has a population of approximately 23,129 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.