Blount County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.4 | 141,456 people · 83rd most distressed in Tennessee
American Default Research

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Blount County, TN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.4 — 1611th 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 Tennessee, it ranks 83rd of 95 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Blount County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 73.8 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 73.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 75
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 75
House Price Change (YoY) 87
Legal Distress 61.7
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 62
Consumer Credit Distress 52.0
Debt in Collections 55
Medical Debt 85
Auto Loan Delinquency 41
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 63
Subprime Credit Population 39
Housing Cost Burden 47.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 48
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 47
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 62
Homeownership Rate 35
Structural Poverty 20.1
Unemployment Rate 16
Poverty Rate 18
Income vs. State Median 9
Child Poverty Rate 25
Disability Rate 28
Transfer Income Dependency 27

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Blount County
Blount County, TN 49.4 Normal —
Monroe County, TN 64.9 Elevated +15.5
Graham County, NC 60.1 Elevated +10.8
Swain County, NC 57.3 Elevated +7.9
Knox County, TN 55.5 Elevated +6.1
Sevier County, TN 55.0 Elevated +5.7
Loudon County, TN 43.1 Normal -6.3

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Blount County
Marion County, WV 49.4 Normal +0.0
Monongalia County, WV 49.5 Normal +0.1
Herkimer County, NY 49.3 Normal -0.1
Lancaster County, SC 49.3 Normal -0.1
Cass County, MO 49.5 Normal +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Blount County

Find an Attorney

Tennessee Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Tennessee Bar Association — Lawyer Referral Service 615-383-7421

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Blount County residents at no cost.

Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands 615-244-6610 (Nashville); 1-888-244-6610 (statewide hotline)
West Tennessee Legal Services 731-423-0616
Legal Services of South Central Tennessee 931-381-5533
Tennessee Justice Center 615-255-0331
Appalachian Regional Commission — East Tennessee Legal Aid 865-674-0260
Legal Aid of East Tennessee (865) 637-0484

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 Blount County, Tennessee?

    Blount County has a County Distress Index score of 49.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,611th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 83rd in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Blount County?

    The primary driver of distress in Blount County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 73.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Blount County compare to neighboring counties?

    Blount County (49.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Monroe County, TN (64.9); Graham County, NC (60.1); Swain County, NC (57.3).

  • 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 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). Blount County's score of 49.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Blount 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 Blount County?

    Blount County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 141,456 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.