Marlboro County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 74.1 | 25,704 people · 12th most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Marlboro County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 74.1 — 222nd 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 12th of 46 counties. Among its 8 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Marlboro County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 95.7 — worse than roughly 96% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 95.7
Debt in Collections 99
Medical Debt 87
Auto Loan Delinquency 97
Credit Card Delinquency 99
Uninsured Rate 85
Subprime Credit Population 99
Structural Poverty 92.7
Unemployment Rate 99
Poverty Rate 97
Income vs. State Median 96
Child Poverty Rate 96
Disability Rate 73
Transfer Income Dependency 94
Legal Distress 56.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 56
Economic Vitality 38.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 9
Rent-to-Income Ratio 83
Business Formation Rate 56
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Housing Cost Burden 37.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 38
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 28
Homeownership Rate 89

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Marlboro County
Marlboro County, SC 74.1 Serious —
Scotland County, NC 81.2 Crisis +7.1
Robeson County, NC 79.6 Serious +5.5
Anson County, NC 77.5 Serious +3.3
Darlington County, SC 77.4 Serious +3.3
Dillon County, SC 76.0 Serious +1.9
Richmond County, NC 74.8 Serious +0.7
Florence County, SC 72.6 Serious -1.5
Chesterfield County, SC 70.6 Serious -3.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Marlboro County
Grenada County, MS 74.1 Serious -0.0
Greene County, AR 74.1 Serious +0.0
Copiah County, MS 74.2 Serious +0.0
Winston County, MS 74.1 Serious -0.0
Red River County, TX 74.2 Serious +0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Marlboro 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 Marlboro 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 Marlboro County, South Carolina?

    Marlboro County has a County Distress Index score of 74.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 222nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 12th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Marlboro County?

    The primary driver of distress in Marlboro County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 95.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Marlboro County compare to neighboring counties?

    Marlboro County (74.1) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Scotland County, NC (81.2); Robeson County, NC (79.6); Anson County, NC (77.5).

  • 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 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). Marlboro County's score of 74.1 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Marlboro 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 Marlboro County?

    Marlboro County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 25,704 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.