Laurens County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 66.3 | 68,873 people · 24th most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Laurens County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 66.3 — 590th 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 24th 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. Laurens County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 80.1 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 80.1
Debt in Collections 90
Medical Debt 43
Auto Loan Delinquency 88
Credit Card Delinquency 78
Uninsured Rate 80
Subprime Credit Population 89
Structural Poverty 73.2
Unemployment Rate 86
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 64
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Economic Vitality 59.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 75
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 37
Housing Cost Burden 54.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 50
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 61
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 25
Homeownership Rate 68
Legal Distress 10.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Laurens County
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious —
Union County, SC 71.4 Serious +5.2
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious +0.0
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated -2.9
Spartanburg County, SC 61.2 Elevated -5.0
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated -8.3
Anderson County, SC 57.8 Elevated -8.5
Greenville County, SC 53.9 Elevated -12.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Laurens County
Buchanan County, MO 66.3 Serious -0.0
Wayne County, IN 66.3 Serious +0.0
Bradley County, TN 66.3 Serious +0.1
Carter County, TN 66.2 Serious -0.1
Klamath County, OR 66.4 Serious +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Laurens 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 Laurens 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 Laurens County, South Carolina?

    Laurens County has a County Distress Index score of 66.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 590th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 24th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Laurens County?

    The primary driver of distress in Laurens County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 80.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Laurens County compare to neighboring counties?

    Laurens County (66.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Union County, SC (71.4); Newberry County, SC (66.3); Greenwood County, SC (63.4).

  • 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 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). Laurens County's score of 66.3 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Laurens 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 Laurens County?

    Laurens County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 68,873 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.