Screven County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 70.8 | 14,174 people · 73rd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Screven County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 70.8 — 353rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress, where residents carry heavy debt burdens with elevated delinquency and collections rates. Within Georgia, it ranks 73rd 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. Screven County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 92.7 — worse than roughly 93% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 92.7
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 74
Subprime Credit Population 92
Legal Distress 87.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 87
Structural Poverty 75.7
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 92
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 94
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 86
Economic Vitality 57.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 72
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 34
Housing Cost Burden 21.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 5
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 65

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Screven County
Screven County, GA 70.8 Serious —
Burke County, GA 78.0 Serious +7.2
Bulloch County, GA 74.4 Serious +3.6
Hampton County, SC 73.3 Serious +2.6
Jenkins County, GA 72.7 Serious +1.9
Allendale County, SC 67.3 Serious -3.5
Effingham County, GA 55.5 Elevated -15.2

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Screven County
Neshoba County, MS 70.8 Serious -0.0
Harlan County, KY 70.7 Serious -0.0
Pasquotank County, NC 70.7 Serious -0.1
Wayne County, KY 70.7 Serious -0.1
Union County, AR 70.7 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Screven 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 Screven 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 Screven County, Georgia?

    Screven County has a County Distress Index score of 70.8 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 353rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 73rd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Screven County?

    The primary driver of distress in Screven County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 92.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Screven County compare to neighboring counties?

    Screven County (70.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Burke County, GA (78.0); Bulloch County, GA (74.4); Hampton County, SC (73.3).

  • 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). Screven County's score of 70.8 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Screven 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 Screven County?

    Screven County, Georgia has a population of approximately 14,174 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.