Sumner County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 50.0 | 207,994 people · 81st most distressed in Tennessee
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Sumner County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 50.0 — 1574th 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 81st of 95 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Sumner County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 77.5 — worse than roughly 78% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 77.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 77
Economic Vitality 74.8
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 92
Rent-to-Income Ratio 74
Business Formation Rate 32
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Housing Cost Burden 66.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 77
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 54
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 84
Homeownership Rate 61
Consumer Credit Distress 44.2
Debt in Collections 41
Medical Debt 44
Auto Loan Delinquency 43
Credit Card Delinquency 43
Uninsured Rate 45
Subprime Credit Population 49
Structural Poverty 11.4
Unemployment Rate 13
Poverty Rate 12
Income vs. State Median 4
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 17
Transfer Income Dependency 9

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Sumner County
Sumner County, TN 50.0 Elevated —
Simpson County, KY 68.0 Serious +18.0
Macon County, TN 64.4 Elevated +14.3
Davidson County, TN 63.9 Elevated +13.9
Allen County, KY 63.5 Elevated +13.5
Robertson County, TN 57.1 Elevated +7.1
Trousdale County, TN 50.9 Elevated +0.8
Wilson County, TN 42.9 Normal -7.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Sumner County
St. Lawrence County, NY 50.0 Elevated -0.0
Fremont County, CO 50.0 Elevated -0.0
Riley County, KS 50.0 Elevated -0.0
Haywood County, NC 50.0 Normal -0.0
Pender County, NC 50.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Sumner County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Sumner County.

UNLIMITED POTENTIAL CDC
Gallatin
614-356-8523 Website
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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 Sumner 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Sumner County, Tennessee?

    Sumner County has a County Distress Index score of 50.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,574th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 81st in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Sumner County?

    The primary driver of distress in Sumner County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 77.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Sumner County compare to neighboring counties?

    Sumner County (50.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Simpson County, KY (68.0); Macon County, TN (64.4); Davidson County, TN (63.9).

  • 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 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). Sumner County's score of 50.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Sumner 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 Sumner County?

    Sumner County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 207,994 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.