Cumberland County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Normal · 49.2 | 64,760 people · 85th most distressed in Tennessee
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Cumberland County, TN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 49.2 — 1627th 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 Tennessee, it ranks 85th of 95 counties. It scores lower than all 8 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Cumberland County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.4
Unemployment Rate 61
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 78
Disability Rate 82
Transfer Income Dependency 89
Legal Distress 61.9
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 62
Consumer Credit Distress 53.6
Debt in Collections 52
Medical Debt 83
Auto Loan Delinquency 67
Credit Card Delinquency 40
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 33
Economic Vitality 45.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 48
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 82
House Price Change (YoY) 25
Housing Cost Burden 26.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 24
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 29
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 37
Homeownership Rate 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Cumberland County
Cumberland County, TN 49.2 Normal —
Putnam County, TN 60.6 Elevated +11.4
Rhea County, TN 59.2 Elevated +10.0
Bledsoe County, TN 59.1 Elevated +9.9
Morgan County, TN 57.6 Elevated +8.4
White County, TN 56.6 Elevated +7.4
Fentress County, TN 55.8 Elevated +6.6
Van Buren County, TN 51.8 Elevated +2.6
Roane County, TN 51.0 Elevated +1.8

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Cumberland County
Catawba County, NC 49.2 Normal -0.0
Rock County, WI 49.2 Normal +0.0
Herkimer County, NY 49.3 Normal +0.1
Lancaster County, SC 49.3 Normal +0.1
Penobscot County, ME 49.1 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Cumberland County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Cumberland County.

CROSSVILLE HOUSING AUTHORITY
Crossville
931-484-2990
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabHomeless/Displacement

See all counselors in Tennessee →

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 Cumberland 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Tennessee →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Cumberland County, Tennessee?

    Cumberland County has a County Distress Index score of 49.2 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,627th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 85th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Cumberland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Cumberland County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Cumberland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Cumberland County (49.2) can be compared to its 8 neighboring counties: Putnam County, TN (60.6); Rhea County, TN (59.2); Bledsoe County, TN (59.1).

  • 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). Cumberland County's score of 49.2 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Cumberland 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 Cumberland County?

    Cumberland County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 64,760 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.