Hampton County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 73.3 | 18,122 people · 14th most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Hampton County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 73.3 — 256th 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 14th of 46 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hampton County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 92.2 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 92.2
Debt in Collections 95
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 95
Uninsured Rate 80
Subprime Credit Population 95
Structural Poverty 90.9
Unemployment Rate 89
Poverty Rate 94
Income vs. State Median 93
Child Poverty Rate 93
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 86
Housing Cost Burden 53.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 57
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 56
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 54
Economic Vitality 39.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 16
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 18
House Price Change (YoY) 94
Legal Distress 23.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 24

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hampton County
Hampton County, SC 73.3 Serious —
Bamberg County, SC 79.8 Serious +6.5
Colleton County, SC 75.3 Serious +2.0
Screven County, GA 70.8 Serious -2.6
Allendale County, SC 67.3 Serious -6.1
Jasper County, SC 59.3 Elevated -14.1
Effingham County, GA 55.5 Elevated -17.8
Beaufort County, SC 48.4 Normal -24.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hampton County
Zapata County, TX 73.3 Serious -0.0
Clay County, MS 73.3 Serious -0.0
Long County, GA 73.2 Serious -0.1
Tate County, MS 73.4 Serious +0.1
Macon County, GA 73.4 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hampton 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 Hampton 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in South Carolina →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Hampton County has a County Distress Index score of 73.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 256th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hampton County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hampton County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 92.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Hampton County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hampton County (73.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Bamberg County, SC (79.8); Colleton County, SC (75.3); Screven County, GA (70.8).

  • 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 Serious 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). Hampton County's score of 73.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Hampton 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 Hampton County?

    Hampton County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 18,122 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.