Anderson County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.8 | 213,076 people · 37th most distressed in South Carolina
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Anderson County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.8 — 1097th 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 37th of 46 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Anderson County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 65.5 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 65.5
Debt in Collections 71
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 60
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 72
Housing Cost Burden 63.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 76
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 51
Homeownership Rate 45
Economic Vitality 56.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 67
Rent-to-Income Ratio 56
Business Formation Rate 34
House Price Change (YoY) 52
Structural Poverty 46.9
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 49
Income vs. State Median 25
Child Poverty Rate 53
Disability Rate 47
Transfer Income Dependency 47
Legal Distress 11.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 12

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Anderson County
Anderson County, SC 57.8 Elevated —
Elbert County, GA 74.6 Serious +16.8
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious +8.5
Hart County, GA 62.4 Elevated +4.6
Pickens County, SC 61.4 Elevated +3.6
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated +0.3
Greenville County, SC 53.9 Elevated -3.8
Oconee County, SC 47.0 Normal -10.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Anderson County
McCracken County, KY 57.7 Elevated -0.0
DeKalb County, AL 57.7 Elevated -0.1
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated +0.1
Cochise County, AZ 57.6 Elevated -0.1
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Anderson 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 Anderson 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 Anderson County, South Carolina?

    Anderson County has a County Distress Index score of 57.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,097th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 37th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Anderson County?

    The primary driver of distress in Anderson County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 65.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Anderson County compare to neighboring counties?

    Anderson County (57.8) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Elbert County, GA (74.6); Laurens County, SC (66.3); Hart County, GA (62.4).

  • 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). Anderson County's score of 57.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Anderson 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 Anderson County?

    Anderson County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 213,076 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.