Greene County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.8 | 72,577 people · 62nd most distressed in Tennessee
American Default Research

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Greene County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.8 — 1214th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Tennessee, it ranks 62nd 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. Greene County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 73.8 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 73.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 74
Structural Poverty 73.1
Unemployment Rate 74
Poverty Rate 60
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 60
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 86
Consumer Credit Distress 65.6
Debt in Collections 66
Medical Debt 88
Auto Loan Delinquency 59
Credit Card Delinquency 58
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 63
Economic Vitality 38.1
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 20
Rent-to-Income Ratio 45
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 30
Housing Cost Burden 25.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 18
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 24
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 35
Homeownership Rate 42

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Greene County
Greene County, TN 55.8 Elevated —
Cocke County, TN 75.1 Serious +19.2
Hamblen County, TN 69.5 Serious +13.6
Unicoi County, TN 62.3 Elevated +6.5
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated +2.1
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated +2.0
Madison County, NC 50.9 Elevated -4.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Greene County
Elmore County, AL 55.8 Elevated -0.0
DeKalb County, IL 55.8 Elevated -0.1
Tippecanoe County, IN 55.8 Elevated -0.1
Linn County, OR 55.9 Elevated +0.1
Cullman County, AL 56.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Greene County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Greene County.

TELAMON CORPORATION - TENNESSEE BRANCH
Bulls Gap
984-365-6571 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

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 Greene 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 Greene County, Tennessee?

    Greene County has a County Distress Index score of 55.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,214th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 62nd in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Greene County?

    The primary driver of distress in Greene County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 73.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Greene County compare to neighboring counties?

    Greene County (55.8) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cocke County, TN (75.1); Hamblen County, TN (69.5); Unicoi County, TN (62.3).

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

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

    Greene 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 Greene County?

    Greene County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 72,577 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.