Newberry County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 66.3 | 38,825 people · 23rd most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Newberry County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 66.3 — 589th 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 23rd of 46 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Newberry County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 78.4 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 78.4
Debt in Collections 80
Medical Debt 68
Auto Loan Delinquency 84
Credit Card Delinquency 84
Uninsured Rate 54
Subprime Credit Population 84
Structural Poverty 67.8
Unemployment Rate 83
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 52
Child Poverty Rate 88
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 65
Housing Cost Burden 64.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 81
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 24
Homeownership Rate 55
Economic Vitality 42.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 48
Business Formation Rate 37
House Price Change (YoY) 29
Legal Distress 20.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 20

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Newberry County
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious —
Richland County, SC 75.5 Serious +9.3
Fairfield County, SC 74.7 Serious +8.4
Union County, SC 71.4 Serious +5.2
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious -0.0
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated -2.9
Saluda County, SC 61.4 Elevated -4.9
Lexington County, SC 55.9 Elevated -10.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Newberry County
Tattnall County, GA 66.2 Serious -0.0
Alcorn County, MS 66.3 Serious +0.0
Crenshaw County, AL 66.3 Serious +0.1
Choctaw County, AL 66.2 Serious -0.1
Glacier County, MT 66.2 Serious -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Newberry 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 Newberry 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 Newberry County, South Carolina?

    Newberry County has a County Distress Index score of 66.3 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 589th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 23rd in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Newberry County?

    The primary driver of distress in Newberry County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 78.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Newberry County compare to neighboring counties?

    Newberry County (66.3) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Richland County, SC (75.5); Fairfield County, SC (74.7); Union County, SC (71.4).

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

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

    Newberry 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 Newberry County?

    Newberry County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 38,825 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.