Sevier County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 55.0 | 99,415 people · 66th most distressed in Tennessee
American Default Research

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Sevier County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 55.0 — 1267th 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 66th of 95 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sevier County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 80.4 — worse than roughly 80% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 80.4
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 80
Economic Vitality 65.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 85
Rent-to-Income Ratio 66
Business Formation Rate 29
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Consumer Credit Distress 62.4
Debt in Collections 70
Medical Debt 95
Auto Loan Delinquency 27
Credit Card Delinquency 52
Uninsured Rate 83
Subprime Credit Population 64
Structural Poverty 37.3
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 39
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 52
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 28
Housing Cost Burden 37.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 32
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 33
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 32
Homeownership Rate 62

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sevier County
Sevier County, TN 55.0 Elevated —
Cocke County, TN 75.1 Serious +20.0
Jefferson County, TN 59.0 Elevated +3.9
Swain County, NC 57.3 Elevated +2.2
Knox County, TN 55.5 Elevated +0.5
Haywood County, NC 50.0 Normal -5.1
Blount County, TN 49.4 Normal -5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sevier County
Androscoggin County, ME 55.0 Elevated -0.1
Jackson County, AL 55.1 Elevated +0.1
Parker County, TX 55.0 Elevated -0.1
Tuolumne County, CA 54.9 Elevated -0.1
Pickaway County, OH 55.2 Elevated +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sevier 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 Sevier 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 Sevier County, Tennessee?

    Sevier County has a County Distress Index score of 55.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,267th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sevier County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sevier County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 80.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sevier County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sevier County (55.0) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Cocke County, TN (75.1); Jefferson County, TN (59.0); Swain County, NC (57.3).

  • 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). Sevier County's score of 55.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Sevier 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 Sevier County?

    Sevier County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 99,415 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.