Towns County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.0 | 13,035 people · 152nd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

Behind on your mortgage or facing eviction? Take a 2-minute assessment to see your options.

Towns County, GA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.0 — 1709th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within Georgia, it ranks 152nd of 159 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Towns County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 58.8 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 58.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 58
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 78
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 53
Homeownership Rate 19
Structural Poverty 53.5
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 34
Income vs. State Median 28
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 79
Transfer Income Dependency 92
Economic Vitality 47.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 31
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 69
Consumer Credit Distress 44.8
Debt in Collections 43
Medical Debt 45
Auto Loan Delinquency 42
Credit Card Delinquency 62
Uninsured Rate 82
Subprime Credit Population 22
Legal Distress 27.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 28

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Towns County
Towns County, GA 48.0 Normal —
Habersham County, GA 55.6 Elevated +7.6
White County, GA 55.1 Elevated +7.1
Clay County, NC 52.1 Elevated +4.1
Rabun County, GA 49.1 Normal +1.0
Union County, GA 40.2 Normal -7.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Towns County
Cherokee County, NC 48.0 Normal +0.0
Rio Grande County, CO 48.0 Normal -0.1
Greene County, GA 48.1 Normal +0.1
Albany County, WY 48.0 Normal -0.1
Jackson County, WV 48.1 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Towns 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 Towns 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Georgia →

Continue Reading

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Towns County, Georgia?

    Towns County has a County Distress Index score of 48.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,709th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 152nd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Towns County?

    The primary driver of distress in Towns County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 58.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Towns County compare to neighboring counties?

    Towns County (48.0) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Habersham County, GA (55.6); White County, GA (55.1); 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). Towns County's score of 48.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Towns 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 Towns County?

    Towns County, Georgia has a population of approximately 13,035 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.