Washington County, Tennessee

County Distress Index: Elevated · 57.9 | 138,420 people · 51st most distressed in Tennessee
American Default Research

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Washington County, TN registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 57.9 — 1088th 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 51st 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. Washington 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 78
Housing Cost Burden 71.1
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 74
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 75
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 26
Homeownership Rate 86
Consumer Credit Distress 53.7
Debt in Collections 58
Medical Debt 80
Auto Loan Delinquency 47
Credit Card Delinquency 38
Uninsured Rate 68
Subprime Credit Population 44
Economic Vitality 50.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 45
Rent-to-Income Ratio 57
Business Formation Rate 55
House Price Change (YoY) 51
Structural Poverty 45.1
Unemployment Rate 27
Poverty Rate 69
Income vs. State Median 33
Child Poverty Rate 51
Disability Rate 56
Transfer Income Dependency 40

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Washington County, TN 57.9 Elevated —
Carter County, TN 66.2 Serious +8.3
Unicoi County, TN 62.3 Elevated +4.4
Sullivan County, TN 58.0 Elevated +0.2
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated +0.1
Greene County, TN 55.8 Elevated -2.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Washington County
Berkeley County, WV 57.9 Elevated +0.0
Lee County, NC 57.8 Elevated -0.0
Muskegon County, MI 57.9 Elevated +0.0
Hawkins County, TN 57.9 Elevated +0.1
Hardin County, KY 58.0 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Washington County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Washington County.

EASTERN EIGHT COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT CORP.
Johnson City
423-232-5097
Foreclosure PreventionFinancial CounselingHome Improvement/RehabPost-Purchase

See all counselors in Tennessee →

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 Washington 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Tennessee →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Washington County has a County Distress Index score of 57.9 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,088th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 51st in Tennessee out of 95 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Washington County?

    The primary driver of distress in Washington 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 Washington County compare to neighboring counties?

    Washington County (57.9) can be compared to its 5 neighboring counties: Carter County, TN (66.2); Unicoi County, TN (62.3); Sullivan County, TN (58.0).

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

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

    Washington 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 Washington County?

    Washington County, Tennessee has a population of approximately 138,420 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.