Accomack County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.0 | 33,239 people · 70th most distressed in Virginia
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Accomack County, VA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.0 — 1400th 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 Virginia, it ranks 70th of 133 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Accomack County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 73.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 73.4
Unemployment Rate 76
Poverty Rate 75
Income vs. State Median 82
Child Poverty Rate 77
Disability Rate 54
Transfer Income Dependency 73
Consumer Credit Distress 57.5
Debt in Collections 53
Medical Debt 17
Auto Loan Delinquency 72
Credit Card Delinquency 67
Uninsured Rate 60
Subprime Credit Population 68
Economic Vitality 50.6
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 41
Rent-to-Income Ratio 63
Business Formation Rate 57
House Price Change (YoY) 47
Legal Distress 37.3
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 37
Housing Cost Burden 37.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 26
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 39
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 21
Homeownership Rate 69

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Accomack County
Accomack County, VA 53.0 Elevated —
Somerset County, MD 73.8 Serious +20.8
Northampton County, VA 52.6 Elevated -0.5
Lancaster County, VA 45.8 Normal -7.2
Middlesex County, VA 45.7 Normal -7.4
Worcester County, MD 45.1 Normal -7.9
Northumberland County, VA 42.0 Normal -11.1
Mathews County, VA 35.2 Normal -17.9

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Accomack County
Marion County, KY 53.0 Elevated -0.0
Seneca County, NY 53.1 Elevated +0.0
Stone County, AR 53.1 Elevated +0.0
Marion County, IL 53.1 Elevated +0.0
Amelia County, VA 53.1 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Accomack County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Accomack County.

ACCOMACK-NORTHAMPTON PLANNING DISTRICT COMMISSSION
Accomac
757-787-2800 Website
Foreclosure PreventionMortgage HelpFinancial CounselingFinancial Counseling

See all counselors in Virginia →

Find an Attorney

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service offers a lawyer referral service for bankruptcy, foreclosure defense, and consumer rights.

Virginia State Bar Lawyer Referral Service 1-800-552-7977

Free Legal Aid

Legal aid organizations serving Accomack County residents at no cost.

Virginia Legal Aid Society 540-342-3900
Legal Aid Justice Center 434-977-0553
Legal Services of Northern Virginia 703-778-6800
Virginia Poverty Law Center 804-782-9430
Central Virginia Legal Aid Society 804-648-1012
Blue Ridge Legal Services, Inc. (866) 534-5243
Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia (757) 827-5078
Southwest Virginia Legal Aid Society, Inc. (888) 201-2772

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 Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is the distress score for Accomack County, Virginia?

    Accomack County has a County Distress Index score of 53.0 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,400th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 70th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Accomack County?

    The primary driver of distress in Accomack County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 73.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Accomack County compare to neighboring counties?

    Accomack County (53.0) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Somerset County, MD (73.8); Northampton County, VA (52.6); Lancaster County, VA (45.8).

  • 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). Accomack County's score of 53.0 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Accomack 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 Accomack County?

    Accomack County, Virginia has a population of approximately 33,239 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.