Cherokee County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 63.8 | 56,714 people · 27th most distressed in South Carolina
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Cherokee County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 63.8 — 716th 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 27th of 46 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cherokee County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 82.5 — worse than roughly 83% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 82.5
Debt in Collections 91
Medical Debt 48
Auto Loan Delinquency 92
Credit Card Delinquency 84
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 93
Structural Poverty 68.7
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 72
Income vs. State Median 48
Child Poverty Rate 75
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 76
Housing Cost Burden 46.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 55
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 43
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 17
Homeownership Rate 56
Legal Distress 30.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 30
Economic Vitality 28.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 25
Rent-to-Income Ratio 26
Business Formation Rate 50
House Price Change (YoY) 11

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherokee County
Cherokee County, SC 63.8 Elevated —
Union County, SC 71.4 Serious +7.6
Cleveland County, NC 69.7 Serious +5.8
Rutherford County, NC 64.2 Elevated +0.3
Spartanburg County, SC 61.2 Elevated -2.6
York County, SC 56.5 Elevated -7.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cherokee County
Franklin County, NC 63.9 Elevated +0.0
Warren County, KY 63.8 Elevated -0.1
Rankin County, MS 63.7 Elevated -0.1
San Juan County, NM 63.7 Elevated -0.1
Valencia County, NM 63.7 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cherokee 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 Cherokee 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 Cherokee County, South Carolina?

    Cherokee County has a County Distress Index score of 63.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 716th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 27th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cherokee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cherokee County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 82.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Cherokee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cherokee County (63.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Union County, SC (71.4); Cleveland County, NC (69.7); Rutherford County, NC (64.2).

  • 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). Cherokee County's score of 63.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Cherokee 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 Cherokee County?

    Cherokee County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 56,714 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.