Stewart County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Healthy · 33.7 | 14,222 people · 94th most distressed in Tennessee
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Stewart County, TN ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 33.7 — 2548th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Structural Poverty, where income and poverty levels indicate moderate economic strain. Within Tennessee, it ranks 94th of 95 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Stewart County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 58.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 58.3
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 45
Income vs. State Median 38
Child Poverty Rate 48
Disability Rate 83
Transfer Income Dependency 79
Legal Distress 53.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Economic Vitality 35.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 38
Business Formation Rate 80
House Price Change (YoY) 95
Consumer Credit Distress 34.4
Debt in Collections 37
Medical Debt 78
Auto Loan Delinquency 5
Credit Card Delinquency 7
Uninsured Rate 61
Subprime Credit Population 40
Housing Cost Burden 10.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 15
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 18
Homeownership Rate 6

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Stewart County
Stewart County, TN 33.7 Healthy —
Christian County, KY 77.9 Serious +44.2
Montgomery County, TN 68.5 Serious +34.8
Henry County, TN 59.2 Elevated +25.5
Trigg County, KY 58.4 Elevated +24.7
Calloway County, KY 56.5 Elevated +22.8
Benton County, TN 55.1 Elevated +21.4
Houston County, TN 50.6 Elevated +16.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Stewart County
Sheridan County, WY 33.7 Healthy -0.0
Cottonwood County, MN 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Pope County, MN 33.7 Healthy +0.0
Tipton County, IN 33.8 Healthy +0.1
Renville County, MN 33.8 Healthy +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Stewart 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 Stewart 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 Stewart County, Tennessee?

    Stewart County has a County Distress Index score of 33.7 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 2,548th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 94th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Stewart County?

    The primary driver of distress in Stewart County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 58.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Stewart County compare to neighboring counties?

    Stewart County (33.7) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Christian County, KY (77.9); Montgomery County, TN (68.5); Henry County, TN (59.2).

  • 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 Healthy 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). Stewart County's score of 33.7 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Stewart 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 Stewart County?

    Stewart County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 14,222 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.