Abbeville County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 58.0 | 24,434 people · 36th most distressed in South Carolina
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Abbeville County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 58.0 — 1074th 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 South Carolina, it ranks 36th of 46 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Abbeville County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 81.2 — worse than roughly 81% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 81.2
Debt in Collections 87
Medical Debt 74
Auto Loan Delinquency 91
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 69
Subprime Credit Population 77
Structural Poverty 68.3
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 63
Income vs. State Median 75
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 26
Transfer Income Dependency 83
Economic Vitality 35.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 49
Business Formation Rate 42
House Price Change (YoY) 62
Housing Cost Burden 27.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 33
Homeownership Rate 35
Legal Distress 9.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Abbeville County
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated —
Elbert County, GA 74.6 Serious +16.6
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious +8.3
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated +5.3
Anderson County, SC 57.8 Elevated -0.3
Greenville County, SC 53.9 Elevated -4.1
McCormick County, SC 46.7 Normal -11.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Abbeville County
Bourbon County, KS 58.0 Elevated -0.0
Jefferson County, OR 58.0 Elevated -0.0
Williamsburg city, VA 58.0 Elevated +0.0
Cass County, IN 58.0 Elevated +0.0
Pettis County, MO 58.0 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Abbeville County

Find an Attorney

South Carolina Bar — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

South Carolina Bar — Lawyer Referral Service 803-799-7100

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Abbeville County residents at no cost.

SC Legal Services (Palmetto Legal Services / Greater Columbia Community Relations Council) 1-888-346-5592
Upstate Legal Services 864-679-3232
Pro Bono Legal Services — SC Bar 803-799-6653
Charleston Pro Bono Legal Services 843-853-3304
South Carolina Legal Services, Inc. (888) 346-5592

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 South Carolina →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Abbeville County, South Carolina?

    Abbeville County has a County Distress Index score of 58.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,074th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 36th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Abbeville County?

    The primary driver of distress in Abbeville County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 81.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Abbeville County compare to neighboring counties?

    Abbeville County (58.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Elbert County, GA (74.6); Laurens County, SC (66.3); Greenwood County, SC (63.4).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Abbeville County's score of 58.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Abbeville 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 Abbeville County?

    Abbeville County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 24,434 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.