Georgetown County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.8 | 65,731 people · 42nd most distressed in South Carolina
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Georgetown County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.8 — 1347th 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 42nd of 46 counties. It scores lower than all 5 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Georgetown County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 66.1 — above the national median.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 66.1
Debt in Collections 63
Medical Debt 41
Auto Loan Delinquency 84
Credit Card Delinquency 74
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 65
Economic Vitality 55.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 15
House Price Change (YoY) 58
Structural Poverty 53.7
Unemployment Rate 91
Poverty Rate 52
Income vs. State Median 17
Child Poverty Rate 73
Disability Rate 52
Transfer Income Dependency 58
Housing Cost Burden 39.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 31
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 39
Homeownership Rate 7
Legal Distress 15.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 15

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Georgetown County
Georgetown County, SC 53.8 Elevated —
Williamsburg County, SC 81.1 Crisis +27.3
Marion County, SC 66.9 Serious +13.1
Berkeley County, SC 63.5 Elevated +9.6
Horry County, SC 62.1 Elevated +8.3
Charleston County, SC 55.5 Elevated +1.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Georgetown County
Fulton County, NY 53.9 Elevated +0.0
Mendocino County, CA 53.9 Elevated +0.1
Wise County, TX 54.0 Elevated +0.1
Schenectady County, NY 53.7 Elevated -0.2
Logan County, OK 54.0 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Georgetown 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 Georgetown 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 Georgetown County, South Carolina?

    Georgetown County has a County Distress Index score of 53.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,347th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Georgetown County?

    The primary driver of distress in Georgetown County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 66.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Georgetown County compare to neighboring counties?

    Georgetown County (53.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Williamsburg County, SC (81.1); Marion County, SC (66.9); Berkeley County, SC (63.5).

  • 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). Georgetown County's score of 53.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Georgetown 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 Georgetown County?

    Georgetown County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 65,731 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.