Hawkins County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.9 | 58,600 people · 48th most distressed in Tennessee
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Hawkins County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.9 — 1079th 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 48th of 95 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Hawkins County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 89.8 — worse than roughly 90% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 89.8
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 90
Structural Poverty 73.1
Unemployment Rate 52
Poverty Rate 74
Income vs. State Median 65
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 93
Transfer Income Dependency 82
Consumer Credit Distress 64.4
Debt in Collections 71
Medical Debt 90
Auto Loan Delinquency 46
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 65
Subprime Credit Population 63
Economic Vitality 51.7
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 27
Rent-to-Income Ratio 67
Business Formation Rate 93
House Price Change (YoY) 49
Housing Cost Burden 26.8
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 27
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 25
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Hawkins County
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated —
Hancock County, TN 72.7 Serious +14.7
Hamblen County, TN 69.5 Serious +11.5
Sullivan County, TN 58.0 Elevated +0.1
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated -0.1
Greene County, TN 55.8 Elevated -2.1
Grainger County, TN 54.5 Elevated -3.4
Scott County, VA 54.5 Elevated -3.5

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Hawkins County
Hardin County, KY 58.0 Elevated +0.0
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated -0.0
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated -0.1
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated -0.1
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Hawkins 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 Hawkins 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 Hawkins County, Tennessee?

    Hawkins County has a County Distress Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,079th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 48th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Hawkins County?

    The primary driver of distress in Hawkins County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 89.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Hawkins County compare to neighboring counties?

    Hawkins County (57.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Hancock County, TN (72.7); Hamblen County, TN (69.5); Sullivan County, TN (58.0).

  • 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). Hawkins County's score of 57.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Hawkins 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 Hawkins County?

    Hawkins County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 58,600 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.