McCormick County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.7 | 9,941 people · 46th most distressed in South Carolina
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McCormick County, SC falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.7 — 1799th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where poverty rates are high, transfer income dependency is elevated, and household incomes lag well behind state and national medians. Within South Carolina, it ranks 46th of 46 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. McCormick County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 76.0 — worse than roughly 76% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 76.0
Unemployment Rate 89
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 94
Disability Rate 63
Transfer Income Dependency 95
Legal Distress 52.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 52
Economic Vitality 51.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 66
Rent-to-Income Ratio 35
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 50
Consumer Credit Distress 45.7
Debt in Collections 51
Medical Debt 66
Auto Loan Delinquency 61
Credit Card Delinquency 26
Uninsured Rate 9
Subprime Credit Population 44
Housing Cost Burden 27.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 39
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 23
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 34
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. McCormick County
McCormick County, SC 46.7 Normal —
Elbert County, GA 74.6 Serious +27.9
Edgefield County, SC 65.4 Serious +18.7
Lincoln County, GA 63.7 Elevated +17.0
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated +16.7
Abbeville County, SC 58.0 Elevated +11.3
Columbia County, GA 48.0 Normal +1.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. McCormick County
White Pine County, NV 46.7 Normal +0.0
Hickman County, KY 46.8 Normal +0.1
Dillingham Census Area, AK 46.8 Normal +0.1
Corson County, SD 46.9 Normal +0.2
Goliad County, TX 46.9 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in McCormick 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 McCormick 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 McCormick County, South Carolina?

    McCormick County has a County Distress Index score of 46.7 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,799th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 46th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in McCormick County?

    The primary driver of distress in McCormick County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 76.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does McCormick County compare to neighboring counties?

    McCormick County (46.7) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Elbert County, GA (74.6); Edgefield County, SC (65.4); Lincoln County, GA (63.7).

  • 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 Normal 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). McCormick County's score of 46.7 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    McCormick 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 McCormick County?

    McCormick County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 9,941 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.