Saluda County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Elevated · 61.4 | 19,123 people · 31st most distressed in South Carolina
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Saluda County, SC registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 61.4 — 853rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where wages are low relative to housing costs, business formation lags, and the local economy lacks dynamism. Within South Carolina, it ranks 31st 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. Saluda County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 78.0 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 78.0
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 87
Rent-to-Income Ratio 82
Business Formation Rate 39
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 68.2
Debt in Collections 73
Medical Debt 70
Auto Loan Delinquency 85
Credit Card Delinquency 27
Uninsured Rate 91
Subprime Credit Population 72
Structural Poverty 59.1
Unemployment Rate 69
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 39
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 56
Housing Cost Burden 47.4
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 63
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 29
Legal Distress 43.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Saluda County
Saluda County, SC 61.4 Elevated —
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious +4.9
Edgefield County, SC 65.4 Serious +4.0
Greenwood County, SC 63.4 Elevated +1.9
Aiken County, SC 59.9 Elevated -1.5
Lexington County, SC 55.9 Elevated -5.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Saluda County
Union Parish, LA 61.4 Elevated -0.0
Reeves County, TX 61.4 Elevated -0.0
Charlotte County, VA 61.4 Elevated -0.0
Pawnee County, OK 61.4 Elevated -0.0
Winchester city, VA 61.4 Elevated -0.0

Download Data

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

Find Help in Saluda 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 Saluda 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 Saluda County, South Carolina?

    Saluda County has a County Distress Index score of 61.4 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 853rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 31st in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Saluda County?

    The primary driver of distress in Saluda County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 78.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Saluda County compare to neighboring counties?

    Saluda County (61.4) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Newberry County, SC (66.3); Edgefield County, SC (65.4); Greenwood County, SC (63.4).

  • 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 Elevated 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). Saluda County's score of 61.4 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Saluda 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 Saluda County?

    Saluda County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 19,123 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.