Pickett County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Normal · 46.4 | 5,128 people · 87th most distressed in Tennessee
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Pickett County, TN falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 46.4 — 1820th 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 87th of 95 counties. It scores lower than all 6 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Pickett County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 84.8 — worse than roughly 85% of U.S. counties.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 84.8
Unemployment Rate 78
Poverty Rate 71
Income vs. State Median 91
Child Poverty Rate 80
Disability Rate 95
Transfer Income Dependency 88
Economic Vitality 77.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 74
Rent-to-Income Ratio 79
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Legal Distress 45.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 45
Consumer Credit Distress 43.9
Debt in Collections 49
Medical Debt 78
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 51
Uninsured Rate 38
Subprime Credit Population 46
Housing Cost Burden 15.6
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 13
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 21
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 16
Homeownership Rate 10

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Pickett County
Pickett County, TN 46.4 Normal —
Wayne County, KY 70.7 Serious +24.3
Clinton County, KY 67.8 Serious +21.4
Scott County, TN 65.9 Serious +19.5
Fentress County, TN 55.8 Elevated +9.4
Clay County, TN 54.8 Elevated +8.4
Overton County, TN 52.4 Elevated +6.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Pickett County
Conejos County, CO 46.4 Normal +0.0
Kimble County, TX 46.4 Normal +0.0
King County, TX 46.4 Normal +0.0
Johnson County, NE 46.3 Normal -0.1
Lincoln County, NV 46.2 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Pickett 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 Pickett 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 Pickett County, Tennessee?

    Pickett County has a County Distress Index score of 46.4 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,820th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 87th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Pickett County?

    The primary driver of distress in Pickett County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 84.8 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Pickett County compare to neighboring counties?

    Pickett County (46.4) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Wayne County, KY (70.7); Clinton County, KY (67.8); Scott County, TN (65.9).

  • 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). Pickett County's score of 46.4 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Pickett 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 Pickett County?

    Pickett County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 5,128 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.