Harrison County, Mississippi

County Distress Index: Serious · 73.8 | 210,612 people · 31st most distressed in Mississippi
American Default Research

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Harrison County, MS shows significant household financial distress with a score of 73.8 — 235th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Mississippi, it ranks 31st of 82 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Harrison County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 85.6 — worse than roughly 86% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 85.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 86
Housing Cost Burden 81.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 83
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 69
Homeownership Rate 92
Consumer Credit Distress 77.1
Debt in Collections 75
Medical Debt 54
Auto Loan Delinquency 80
Credit Card Delinquency 77
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 90
Economic Vitality 62.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 73
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 10
House Price Change (YoY) 78
Structural Poverty 49.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 62
Disability Rate 76
Transfer Income Dependency 56

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Harrison County
Harrison County, MS 73.8 Serious —
St. Bernard Parish, LA 80.3 Crisis +6.5
Pearl River County, MS 65.6 Serious -8.2
Stone County, MS 65.3 Serious -8.5
Jackson County, MS 64.6 Elevated -9.2
Hancock County, MS 55.5 Elevated -18.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Harrison County
Kaufman County, TX 73.8 Serious -0.0
Victoria County, TX 73.8 Serious +0.0
Hunt County, TX 73.6 Serious -0.1
Henderson County, TX 73.6 Serious -0.2
Clarke County, GA 73.6 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Harrison County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Harrison County.

MERCY HOUSING AND HUMAN DEVELOPMENT
Gulfport
228-896-1945 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingPre-Purchase
RENAISSANCE COMMUNITY LOAN FUND
Gulfport
228-896-3386 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Mississippi →

Find an Attorney

Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Mississippi Bar Lawyer Referral 601-948-4471

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Harrison County residents at no cost.

Mississippi Center for Legal Services 1-800-498-1804
North Mississippi Rural Legal Services 1-800-898-8731

American Default Research does not endorse, rate, or rank any provider. Verify attorney credentials with your state bar.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Mississippi →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Harrison County, Mississippi?

    Harrison County has a County Distress Index score of 73.8 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 235th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in Mississippi out of 82 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Harrison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Harrison County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 85.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Harrison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Harrison County (73.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: St. Bernard Parish, LA (80.3); Pearl River County, MS (65.6); Stone County, MS (65.3).

  • 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). Harrison County's score of 73.8 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Harrison 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 Harrison County?

    Harrison County, Mississippi has a population of approximately 210,612 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.