Wilkinson County, Georgia

County Distress Index: Serious · 73.0 | 8,725 people · 63rd most distressed in Georgia
American Default Research

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Wilkinson County, GA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 73.0 — 266th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Georgia, it ranks 63rd of 159 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Wilkinson County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 94.9 — worse than roughly 95% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 94.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 95
Consumer Credit Distress 90.6
Debt in Collections 93
Medical Debt 90
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 79
Subprime Credit Population 86
Structural Poverty 74.8
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 66
Child Poverty Rate 94
Disability Rate 51
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Housing Cost Burden 44.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 31
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 79
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 7
Economic Vitality 31.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 8
Rent-to-Income Ratio 65
Business Formation Rate 27
House Price Change (YoY) 60

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Wilkinson County
Wilkinson County, GA 73.0 Serious —
Baldwin County, GA 85.4 Crisis +12.4
Washington County, GA 79.0 Serious +6.1
Laurens County, GA 74.8 Serious +1.8
Bleckley County, GA 71.6 Serious -1.4
Twiggs County, GA 67.6 Serious -5.3
Jones County, GA 62.4 Elevated -10.5
Johnson County, GA 62.4 Elevated -10.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Wilkinson County
Greene County, AL 72.9 Serious -0.1
Dimmit County, TX 72.8 Serious -0.2
Lee County, KY 72.7 Serious -0.2
Jenkins County, GA 72.7 Serious -0.3
Hancock County, TN 72.7 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County, Georgia?

    Wilkinson County has a County Distress Index score of 73.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 266th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Georgia out of 159 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Wilkinson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Wilkinson County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 94.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Wilkinson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Wilkinson County (73.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Baldwin County, GA (85.4); Washington County, GA (79.0); Laurens County, GA (74.8).

  • 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). Wilkinson County's score of 73.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Wilkinson 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 Wilkinson County?

    Wilkinson County, Georgia has a population of approximately 8,725 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.