Madison County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Serious · 76.4 | 99,193 people · 6th most distressed in Tennessee
American Default Research

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Madison County, TN shows significant household financial distress with a score of 76.4 — 145th 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 6th of 95 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Madison County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 96.1 — worse than roughly 96% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 96.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 96
Housing Cost Burden 88.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 95
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 97
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 38
Homeownership Rate 89
Consumer Credit Distress 76.2
Debt in Collections 76
Medical Debt 51
Auto Loan Delinquency 92
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 66
Subprime Credit Population 80
Economic Vitality 61.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 59
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 31
House Price Change (YoY) 81
Structural Poverty 56.4
Unemployment Rate 49
Poverty Rate 80
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 86
Disability Rate 57
Transfer Income Dependency 44

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Madison County, TN 76.4 Serious —
Haywood County, TN 79.5 Serious +3.2
Hardeman County, TN 77.8 Serious +1.5
Carroll County, TN 67.4 Serious -9.0
Gibson County, TN 64.3 Elevated -12.1
Crockett County, TN 63.8 Elevated -12.6
Chester County, TN 57.9 Elevated -18.5
Henderson County, TN 57.8 Elevated -18.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Madison County
Muskogee County, OK 76.3 Serious -0.0
Lauderdale County, MS 76.5 Serious +0.1
Montgomery County, AL 76.3 Serious -0.1
Rapides Parish, LA 76.5 Serious +0.2
St. Landry Parish, LA 76.1 Serious -0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Madison County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Madison County.

WEST TENNESSEE LEGAL SERVICES, INC.
Jackson
731-423-0616 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab
WEST TENNESSEE LEGAL SERVICES, INCORPORATED
JACKSON
731-423-0616-1250 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingFair HousingHome Improvement/Rehab

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 Madison 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 Madison County, Tennessee?

    Madison County has a County Distress Index score of 76.4 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 145th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 6th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Madison County?

    The primary driver of distress in Madison County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 96.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Madison County compare to neighboring counties?

    Madison County (76.4) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Haywood County, TN (79.5); Hardeman County, TN (77.8); Carroll County, TN (67.4).

  • 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 Serious 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). Madison County's score of 76.4 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

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

    Madison 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 Madison County?

    Madison County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 99,193 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.