Union County, South Carolina

County Distress Index: Serious · 71.4 | 26,629 people · 16th most distressed in South Carolina
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Union County, SC shows significant household financial distress with a score of 71.4 — 336th 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 16th of 46 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Union County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 93.7 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 93.7
Unemployment Rate 94
Poverty Rate 93
Income vs. State Median 99
Child Poverty Rate 95
Disability Rate 85
Transfer Income Dependency 94
Consumer Credit Distress 83.6
Debt in Collections 91
Medical Debt 38
Auto Loan Delinquency 94
Credit Card Delinquency 90
Uninsured Rate 75
Subprime Credit Population 95
Economic Vitality 69.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 56
Rent-to-Income Ratio 97
Business Formation Rate 50
House Price Change (YoY) 93
Housing Cost Burden 43.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 43
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 34
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 73
Legal Distress 38.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 39

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Union County, SC 71.4 Serious —
Fairfield County, SC 74.7 Serious +3.2
Chester County, SC 70.5 Serious -0.9
Newberry County, SC 66.3 Serious -5.2
Laurens County, SC 66.3 Serious -5.2
Cherokee County, SC 63.8 Elevated -7.6
Spartanburg County, SC 61.2 Elevated -10.2
York County, SC 56.5 Elevated -15.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Union County
Sussex County, VA 71.4 Serious -0.0
Ottawa County, OK 71.5 Serious +0.0
Leake County, MS 71.5 Serious +0.1
Bleckley County, GA 71.6 Serious +0.2
Choctaw County, OK 71.3 Serious -0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Union 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 Union 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in South Carolina →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Union County, South Carolina?

    Union County has a County Distress Index score of 71.4 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 336th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 16th in South Carolina out of 46 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Union County?

    The primary driver of distress in Union County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 93.7 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Union County compare to neighboring counties?

    Union County (71.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Fairfield County, SC (74.7); Chester County, SC (70.5); Newberry County, SC (66.3).

  • 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). Union County's score of 71.4 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Union 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 Union County?

    Union County, South Carolina has a population of approximately 26,629 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.