Wheeler County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 66.7 | 7,081 people · 104th most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Wheeler County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 66.7 — 568th 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 104th 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. Wheeler County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 85.7 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 85.7
Debt in Collections 76
Medical Debt 62
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 95
Subprime Credit Population 93
Structural Poverty 71.4
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 95
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 5
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Economic Vitality 70.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 52
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 92
House Price Change (YoY) 59
Legal Distress 42.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 43
Housing Cost Burden 29.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 22
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 75

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wheeler County
Wheeler County, GA 66.7 Serious —
Telfair County, GA 77.3 Serious +10.5
Laurens County, GA 74.8 Serious +8.1
Dodge County, GA 74.0 Serious +7.3
Treutlen County, GA 69.5 Serious +2.8
Jeff Davis County, GA 63.9 Elevated -2.8
Montgomery County, GA 62.8 Elevated -3.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wheeler County
Benton County, MS 66.7 Serious -0.0
Clay County, WV 66.8 Serious +0.0
Wilkes County, GA 66.8 Serious +0.1
Hickory County, MO 66.8 Serious +0.1
Stewart County, GA 66.9 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wheeler 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 Wheeler 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 Wheeler County, Georgia?

    Wheeler County has a County Distress Index score of 66.7 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 568th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 104th in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wheeler County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wheeler County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 85.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Wheeler County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wheeler County (66.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Telfair County, GA (77.3); Laurens County, GA (74.8); Dodge County, GA (74.0).

  • 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). Wheeler County's score of 66.7 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Wheeler 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 Wheeler County?

    Wheeler County, Georgia has a population of approximately 7,081 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.