Warren County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.9 | 42,638 people · 49th most distressed in Tennessee
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Warren County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.9 — 1081st 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 49th of 95 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 4 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Warren County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 72.2 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 72.2
Unemployment Rate 41
Poverty Rate 76
Income vs. State Median 83
Child Poverty Rate 72
Disability Rate 75
Transfer Income Dependency 75
Legal Distress 70.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 70
Consumer Credit Distress 63.6
Debt in Collections 61
Medical Debt 53
Auto Loan Delinquency 83
Credit Card Delinquency 47
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 67
Economic Vitality 48.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 30
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 16
Housing Cost Burden 37.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 54
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 15
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 12
Homeownership Rate 67

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Warren County, TN 57.9 Elevated —
Sequatchie County, TN 78.0 Serious +20.1
Grundy County, TN 63.0 Elevated +5.1
DeKalb County, TN 62.4 Elevated +4.5
Coffee County, TN 59.8 Elevated +1.9
White County, TN 56.6 Elevated -1.3
Cannon County, TN 52.7 Elevated -5.2
Van Buren County, TN 51.8 Elevated -6.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Warren County
Lewis County, WV 57.9 Elevated 0.0
Henry County, AL 57.9 Elevated -0.0
Pettis County, MO 58.0 Elevated +0.0
Jackson County, OK 57.9 Elevated -0.1
Chester County, TN 57.9 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Warren 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 Warren 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 Warren County, Tennessee?

    Warren County has a County Distress Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,081st nationally out of 3,144 counties and 49th in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Warren County?

    The primary driver of distress in Warren County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 72.2 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Warren County compare to neighboring counties?

    Warren County (57.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Sequatchie County, TN (78.0); Grundy County, TN (63.0); DeKalb County, TN (62.4).

  • 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). Warren County's score of 57.9 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Warren 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 Warren County?

    Warren County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 42,638 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.