Van Buren County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 51.8 | 6,493 people · 74th most distressed in Tennessee
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Van Buren County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 51.8 — 1465th 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 74th of 95 counties. Among its 5 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Van Buren County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 66.3 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 66.3
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 59
Income vs. State Median 46
Child Poverty Rate 76
Disability Rate 90
Transfer Income Dependency 92
Consumer Credit Distress 64.4
Debt in Collections 47
Medical Debt 58
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 86
Uninsured Rate 87
Subprime Credit Population 55
Legal Distress 61.2
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 61
Economic Vitality 60.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 71
Rent-to-Income Ratio 28
Business Formation Rate 69
House Price Change (YoY) 88
Housing Cost Burden 9.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 17
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 5
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 5
Homeownership Rate 5

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
Van Buren County, TN 51.8 Elevated —
Sequatchie County, TN 78.0 Serious +26.2
Bledsoe County, TN 59.1 Elevated +7.4
Warren County, TN 57.9 Elevated +6.1
White County, TN 56.6 Elevated +4.8
Cumberland County, TN 49.2 Normal -2.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Van Buren County
De Baca County, NM 51.7 Elevated -0.1
Kent County, TX 51.6 Elevated -0.1
Knox County, TX 51.6 Elevated -0.1
Sterling County, TX 52.0 Elevated +0.2
Cottle County, TX 51.6 Elevated -0.2

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Van Buren County as a CSV file.

Find Help in Van Buren 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 Van Buren 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 Van Buren County, Tennessee?

    Van Buren County has a County Distress Index score of 51.8 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,465th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 74th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Van Buren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Van Buren County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 66.3 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Van Buren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Van Buren County (51.8) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Sequatchie County, TN (78.0); Bledsoe County, TN (59.1); Warren County, TN (57.9).

  • 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). Van Buren County's score of 51.8 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Van Buren County's CDI score?

    Van Buren 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 Van Buren County?

    Van Buren County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 6,493 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.