Washington County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 79.0 | 19,820 people · 27th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Washington County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 79.0 — 83rd 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 27th 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. Washington County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 89.1 — worse than roughly 89% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 89.1
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 86
Auto Loan Delinquency 91
Credit Card Delinquency 77
Uninsured Rate 83
Subprime Credit Population 95
Legal Distress 83.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 83
Structural Poverty 74.8
Unemployment Rate 45
Poverty Rate 90
Income vs. State Median 76
Child Poverty Rate 90
Disability Rate 62
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Housing Cost Burden 70.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 80
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 59
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 58
Homeownership Rate 80
Economic Vitality 52.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 42
Rent-to-Income Ratio 78
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 95

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, GA 79.0 Serious —
Hancock County, GA 85.9 Crisis +6.8
Baldwin County, GA 85.4 Crisis +6.3
Jefferson County, GA 74.5 Serious -4.5
Wilkinson County, GA 73.0 Serious -6.1
Johnson County, GA 62.4 Elevated -16.7
Glascock County, GA 60.6 Elevated -18.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Panola County, MS 79.0 Serious -0.1
Dunklin County, MO 79.2 Serious +0.1
Miller County, AR 79.3 Serious +0.2
Decatur County, GA 78.7 Serious -0.3
Sunflower County, MS 78.7 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington 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 Washington 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 Washington County, Georgia?

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 79.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 83rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 89.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (79.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Hancock County, GA (85.9); Baldwin County, GA (85.4); Jefferson County, GA (74.5).

  • 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). Washington County's score of 79.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Georgia has a population of approximately 19,820 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.