Union County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Normal · 40.2 | 27,124 people · 157th most distressed in Georgia
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Union County, GA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 40.2 — 2186th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Georgia, it ranks 157th of 159 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 57.7 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 57.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Structural Poverty 51.8
Unemployment Rate 30
Poverty Rate 26
Income vs. State Median 18
Child Poverty Rate 55
Disability Rate 86
Transfer Income Dependency 90
Housing Cost Burden 39.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 50
Homeownership Rate 8
Economic Vitality 36.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 53
Rent-to-Income Ratio 20
Business Formation Rate 26
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Consumer Credit Distress 35.0
Debt in Collections 39
Medical Debt 67
Auto Loan Delinquency 10
Credit Card Delinquency 35
Uninsured Rate 80
Subprime Credit Population 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, GA 40.2 Normal —
Lumpkin County, GA 58.4 Elevated +18.2
White County, GA 55.1 Elevated +14.9
Clay County, NC 52.1 Elevated +12.0
Fannin County, GA 50.9 Elevated +10.7
Cherokee County, NC 48.0 Normal +7.9
Towns County, GA 48.0 Normal +7.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Butte County, SD 40.2 Normal +0.0
Dawson County, NE 40.2 Normal +0.1
Nez Perce County, ID 40.2 Normal +0.1
Dickinson County, MI 40.3 Normal +0.1
Sevier County, UT 40.3 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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 Union County, Georgia?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 40.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,186th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 157th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 57.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (40.2) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Lumpkin County, GA (58.4); 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). Union County's score of 40.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, Georgia has a population of approximately 27,124 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.