Marion County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 66.9 | 28,508 people · 21st most distressed in South Carolina
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Marion County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 66.9 — 552nd 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 21st of 46 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 3 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Marion County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 91.8 — worse than roughly 92% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 91.8
Debt in Collections 99
Medical Debt 65
Auto Loan Delinquency 97
Credit Card Delinquency 96
Uninsured Rate 84
Subprime Credit Population 97
Structural Poverty 90.9
Unemployment Rate 96
Poverty Rate 96
Income vs. State Median 99
Child Poverty Rate 96
Disability Rate 61
Transfer Income Dependency 93
Economic Vitality 45.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 33
Rent-to-Income Ratio 88
Business Formation Rate 12
House Price Change (YoY) 42
Housing Cost Burden 25.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 11
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 17
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 90
Legal Distress 16.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marion County
Marion County, SC 66.9 Serious —
Williamsburg County, SC 81.1 Crisis +14.2
Dillon County, SC 76.0 Serious +9.1
Florence County, SC 72.6 Serious +5.6
Horry County, SC 62.1 Elevated -4.8
Georgetown County, SC 53.8 Elevated -13.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marion County
Brantley County, GA 67.0 Serious +0.0
Falls County, TX 67.0 Serious +0.1
Scott County, MO 67.0 Serious +0.1
Caddo County, OK 67.0 Serious +0.1
Camp County, TX 66.9 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Marion 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 Marion 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 Marion County, South Carolina?

    Marion County has a County Distress Index score of 66.9 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 552nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 21st in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marion County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marion County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 91.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Marion County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marion County (66.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Williamsburg County, SC (81.1); Dillon County, SC (76.0); Florence County, SC (72.6).

  • 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). Marion County's score of 66.9 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Marion 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 Marion County?

    Marion County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 28,508 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.