Sumter County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 74.1 | 104,165 people · 13th most distressed in South Carolina
American Default Research

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Sumter County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 74.1 — 224th 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 13th of 46 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 6 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sumter County's primary driver is Consumer Credit Distress at 84.5 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Consumer Credit Distress Primary driver 84.5
Debt in Collections 93
Medical Debt 55
Auto Loan Delinquency 89
Credit Card Delinquency 92
Uninsured Rate 68
Subprime Credit Population 92
Legal Distress 75.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 75
Structural Poverty 68.2
Unemployment Rate 92
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 60
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 41
Transfer Income Dependency 71
Economic Vitality 66.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 90
Business Formation Rate 19
House Price Change (YoY) 39
Housing Cost Burden 58.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 64
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 46
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 49
Homeownership Rate 80

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sumter County
Sumter County, SC 74.1 Serious —
Richland County, SC 75.5 Serious +1.4
Lee County, SC 74.6 Serious +0.5
Clarendon County, SC 74.4 Serious +0.3
Florence County, SC 72.6 Serious -1.5
Calhoun County, SC 66.8 Serious -7.3
Kershaw County, SC 64.7 Elevated -9.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sumter County
Gregg County, TX 74.0 Serious -0.0
Bowie County, TX 74.3 Serious +0.2
Victoria County, TX 73.8 Serious -0.3
Bulloch County, GA 74.4 Serious +0.3
Harrison County, MS 73.8 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sumter 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 Sumter 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 Sumter County, South Carolina?

    Sumter County has a County Distress Index score of 74.1 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 224th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 13th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sumter County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sumter County is Consumer Credit Distress, where the county scores 84.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Debt in Collections, Medical Debt, Auto Loan Delinquency.

  • How does Sumter County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sumter County (74.1) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Richland County, SC (75.5); Lee County, SC (74.6); Clarendon County, SC (74.4).

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

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

    Sumter 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 Sumter County?

    Sumter County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 104,165 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.