Garrett County, Maryland

County Distress Index: Healthy · 34.5 | 28,423 people · 22nd most distressed in Maryland
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Garrett County, MD ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 34.5 — 2502nd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Maryland, it ranks 22nd of 24 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. Garrett County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 59.0 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 59.0
Unemployment Rate 58
Poverty Rate 27
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 33
Disability Rate 74
Transfer Income Dependency 52
Consumer Credit Distress 37.7
Debt in Collections 29
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 34
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 29
Subprime Credit Population 29
Economic Vitality 29.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 17
Business Formation Rate 1
House Price Change (YoY) 65
Legal Distress 23.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24
Housing Cost Burden 18.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 10
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 14
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 67
Homeownership Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Garrett County
Garrett County, MD 34.5 Healthy —
Fayette County, PA 63.3 Elevated +28.8
Allegany County, MD 57.4 Elevated +22.8
Grant County, WV 48.4 Normal +13.9
Preston County, WV 47.8 Normal +13.3
Mineral County, WV 40.3 Normal +5.7
Somerset County, PA 35.9 Normal +1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Garrett County
Greene County, IL 34.6 Healthy +0.1
Morton County, ND 34.6 Healthy +0.1
Stark County, ND 34.6 Healthy +0.1
Woodford County, KY 34.6 Healthy +0.1
Stevens County, WA 34.7 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Garrett County

Find an Attorney

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Maryland State Bar Association Lawyer Referral Service 410-685-7878

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Garrett County residents at no cost.

Maryland Legal Aid 410-539-5340
Community Law Center (Baltimore) 410-366-0922
Maryland Volunteer Lawyers Service (MVLS) 410-539-6800
Civil Justice (Baltimore) 410-706-0900

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Garrett County, Maryland?

    Garrett County has a County Distress Index score of 34.5 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,502nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 22nd in Maryland out of 24 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Garrett County?

    The primary driver of distress in Garrett County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 59.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Garrett County compare to neighboring counties?

    Garrett County (34.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Fayette County, PA (63.3); Allegany County, MD (57.4); Grant County, WV (48.4).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Garrett County's score of 34.5 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Garrett 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 Garrett County?

    Garrett County, Maryland has a population of approximately 28,423 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.