Fentress County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.8 | 19,696 people · 63rd most distressed in Tennessee
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Fentress County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.8 — 1216th 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 63rd of 95 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. Fentress County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 81.6 — worse than roughly 82% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 81.6
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 82
Income vs. State Median 87
Child Poverty Rate 84
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 93
Legal Distress 64.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 64
Economic Vitality 63.9
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 63
Rent-to-Income Ratio 68
Business Formation Rate 68
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Consumer Credit Distress 58.8
Debt in Collections 57
Medical Debt 82
Auto Loan Delinquency 50
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 70
Subprime Credit Population 59
Housing Cost Burden 27.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 36
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 60
Homeownership Rate 16

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Fentress County
Fentress County, TN 55.8 Elevated —
Scott County, TN 65.9 Serious +10.1
Putnam County, TN 60.6 Elevated +4.8
Morgan County, TN 57.6 Elevated +1.8
Overton County, TN 52.4 Elevated -3.4
Cumberland County, TN 49.2 Normal -6.6
Pickett County, TN 46.4 Normal -9.4

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Fentress County
Prince George County, VA 55.8 Elevated -0.0
McDonald County, MO 55.8 Elevated -0.0
Montgomery County, KY 55.8 Elevated -0.0
Wakulla County, FL 55.9 Elevated +0.1
Winston County, AL 55.8 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Fentress 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 Fentress 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 Fentress County, Tennessee?

    Fentress County has a County Distress Index score of 55.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,216th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 63rd in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Fentress County?

    The primary driver of distress in Fentress County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 81.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Fentress County compare to neighboring counties?

    Fentress County (55.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Scott County, TN (65.9); Putnam County, TN (60.6); Morgan County, TN (57.6).

  • 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). Fentress County's score of 55.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Fentress 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 Fentress County?

    Fentress County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 19,696 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.