Aiken County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.9 | 177,130 people · 34th most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Aiken County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.9 — 957th 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 34th of 46 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Aiken County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 68.4 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 68.4
Debt in Collections 73
Medical Debt 86
Auto Loan Delinquency 71
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 71
Housing Cost Burden 62.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 73
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 77
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 13
Homeownership Rate 37
Structural Poverty 46.8
Unemployment Rate 82
Poverty Rate 55
Income vs. State Median 19
Child Poverty Rate 49
Disability Rate 49
Transfer Income Dependency 45
Legal Distress 46.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 46
Economic Vitality 40.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 40
Rent-to-Income Ratio 61
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Aiken County
Aiken County, SC 59.9 Elevated —
Richmond County, GA 89.2 Crisis +29.2
Orangeburg County, SC 78.7 Serious +18.8
Burke County, GA 78.0 Serious +18.1
Barnwell County, SC 77.4 Serious +17.5
Edgefield County, SC 65.4 Serious +5.5
Saluda County, SC 61.4 Elevated +1.5
Lexington County, SC 55.9 Elevated -4.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Aiken County
Flagler County, FL 59.9 Elevated -0.0
Anderson County, TN 59.9 Elevated -0.0
Jackson County, IL 59.9 Elevated +0.0
Garfield County, OK 60.0 Elevated +0.1
Elkhart County, IN 60.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Aiken 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 Aiken 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Aiken County has a County Distress Index score of 59.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 957th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 34th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Aiken County?

    The primary driver of distress in Aiken County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 68.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Aiken County compare to neighboring counties?

    Aiken County (59.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Richmond County, GA (89.2); Orangeburg County, SC (78.7); Burke County, GA (78.0).

  • 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 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). Aiken County's score of 59.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Aiken 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 Aiken County?

    Aiken County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 177,130 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.