Greenwood County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 63.4 | 69,460 people · 29th most distressed in South Carolina
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Greenwood County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 63.4 — 756th 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 29th 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. Greenwood County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 75.9 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 75.9
Debt in Collections 81
Medical Debt 71
Auto Loan Delinquency 82
Credit Card Delinquency 76
Uninsured Rate 48
Subprime Credit Population 79
Housing Cost Burden 67.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 62
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 73
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 43
Homeownership Rate 82
Structural Poverty 61.8
Unemployment Rate 90
Poverty Rate 72
Income vs. State Median 54
Child Poverty Rate 76
Disability Rate 10
Transfer Income Dependency 72
Economic Vitality 31.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 13
Rent-to-Income Ratio 37
Business Formation Rate 47
House Price Change (YoY) 80
Legal Distress 13.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 14

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Greenwood County
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated —
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious +2.9
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious +2.9
Edgefield County, SC 65.4 Serious +2.1
Saluda County, SC 61.4 Elevated -1.9
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated -5.3
McCormick County, SC 46.7 Normal -16.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greenwood County
Fayette County, PA 63.3 Elevated -0.0
Paulding County, GA 63.4 Elevated +0.0
Lee County, AL 63.4 Elevated +0.1
Madera County, CA 63.4 Elevated +0.1
Taney County, MO 63.4 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Greenwood 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 Greenwood 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 Greenwood County, South Carolina?

    Greenwood County has a County Distress Index score of 63.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 756th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 29th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greenwood County?

    The primary driver of distress in Greenwood County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 75.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Greenwood County compare to neighboring counties?

    Greenwood County (63.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Newberry County, SC (66.3); Laurens County, SC (66.3); Edgefield County, SC (65.4).

  • 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). Greenwood County's score of 63.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Greenwood 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 Greenwood County?

    Greenwood County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 69,460 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.