Oconee County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Normal · 47.0 | 81,221 people · 45th most distressed in South Carolina
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Oconee County, SC falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 47.0 — 1779th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where housing costs consume a moderate share of household income. Within South Carolina, it ranks 45th of 46 counties. Among its 10 neighboring counties, 9 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Oconee County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 61.9 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 61.9
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 75
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 69
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 45
Structural Poverty 53.2
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 21
Child Poverty Rate 61
Disability Rate 70
Transfer Income Dependency 51
Consumer Credit Distress 50.5
Debt in Collections 53
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 67
Subprime Credit Population 56
Economic Vitality 14.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 7
Rent-to-Income Ratio 10
Business Formation Rate 38
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Legal Distress 8.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 8

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconee County
Oconee County, SC 47.0 Normal —
Stephens County, GA 73.4 Serious +26.4
Franklin County, GA 64.1 Elevated +17.1
Hart County, GA 62.4 Elevated +15.4
Pickens County, SC 61.4 Elevated +14.4
Anderson County, SC 57.8 Elevated +10.8
Habersham County, GA 55.6 Elevated +8.6
Jackson County, NC 53.4 Elevated +6.5
Macon County, NC 50.5 Elevated +3.5
Rabun County, GA 49.1 Normal +2.1
Transylvania County, NC 45.5 Normal -1.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Oconee County
Santa Rosa County, FL 47.0 Normal +0.0
Boone County, MO 46.9 Normal -0.0
Jessamine County, KY 47.0 Normal +0.1
Harrison County, WV 46.9 Normal -0.1
Cowlitz County, WA 46.9 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Oconee 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 Oconee 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 Oconee County, South Carolina?

    Oconee County has a County Distress Index score of 47.0 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,779th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 45th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Oconee County?

    The primary driver of distress in Oconee County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 61.9 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Oconee County compare to neighboring counties?

    Oconee County (47.0) can be compared to its 10 neighboring counties: Stephens County, GA (73.4); Franklin County, GA (64.1); Hart County, GA (62.4).

  • 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 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). Oconee County's score of 47.0 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Oconee 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 Oconee County?

    Oconee County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 81,221 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.