Jasper County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.3 | 33,544 people · 35th most distressed in South Carolina
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Jasper County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.2 — 1001st nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within South Carolina, it ranks 35th of 46 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 4 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Jasper County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 69.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 69.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 91
Rent-to-Income Ratio 95
Business Formation Rate 6
House Price Change (YoY) 7
Consumer Credit Distress 64.0
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 81
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 32
Uninsured Rate 81
Subprime Credit Population 77
Structural Poverty 61.2
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 89
Disability Rate 45
Transfer Income Dependency 67
Legal Distress 51.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 51
Housing Cost Burden 46.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 40
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 45
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 78
Homeownership Rate 41

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Jasper County
Jasper County, SC 59.3 Elevated —
Chatham County, GA 79.0 Serious +19.8
Hampton County, SC 73.3 Serious +14.1
Effingham County, GA 55.5 Elevated -3.7
Beaufort County, SC 48.4 Normal -10.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Jasper County
Coosa County, AL 59.2 Elevated -0.0
Independence County, AR 59.3 Elevated +0.0
Fleming County, KY 59.2 Elevated -0.0
Jennings County, IN 59.2 Elevated -0.0
Rhea County, TN 59.2 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Jasper 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 Jasper 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 Jasper County, South Carolina?

    Jasper County has a County Distress Index score of 59.3 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,001st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 35th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Jasper County?

    The primary driver of distress in Jasper County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 69.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Jasper County compare to neighboring counties?

    Jasper County (59.3) can be compared to its 4 neighboring counties: Chatham County, GA (79.0); Hampton County, SC (73.3); Effingham County, GA (55.5).

  • 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). Jasper County's score of 59.3 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Jasper 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 Jasper County?

    Jasper County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 33,544 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.