Rabun County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.1 | 17,442 people · 150th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Rabun County, GA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.1 — 1636th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within Georgia, it ranks 150th of 159 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Rabun County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 67.4 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 67.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 86
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 17
House Price Change (YoY) 91
Housing Cost Burden 55.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 85
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 29
Homeownership Rate 33
Structural Poverty 50.0
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 46
Income vs. State Median 29
Child Poverty Rate 71
Disability Rate 66
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Consumer Credit Distress 47.7
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 48
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 37
Legal Distress 13.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 13

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Rabun County
Rabun County, GA 49.1 Normal —
Habersham County, GA 55.6 Elevated +6.5
Jackson County, NC 53.4 Elevated +4.4
Clay County, NC 52.1 Elevated +3.1
Macon County, NC 50.5 Elevated +1.4
Towns County, GA 48.0 Normal -1.0
Oconee County, SC 47.0 Normal -2.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Rabun County
Gogebic County, MI 49.0 Normal -0.0
Franklin County, TX 49.1 Normal +0.0
Brown County, IN 49.1 Normal +0.0
Piscataquis County, ME 49.1 Normal +0.0
Lawrence County, IN 49.0 Normal -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Rabun 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 Rabun 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 Rabun County, Georgia?

    Rabun County has a County Distress Index score of 49.1 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,636th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 150th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Rabun County?

    The primary driver of distress in Rabun County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 67.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Rabun County compare to neighboring counties?

    Rabun County (49.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Habersham County, GA (55.6); Jackson County, NC (53.4); Clay County, NC (52.1).

  • 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 Normal 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). Rabun County's score of 49.1 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Rabun 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 Rabun County?

    Rabun County, Georgia has a population of approximately 17,442 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.