Augusta County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 39.8 | 78,247 people · 102nd most distressed in Virginia
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Augusta County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 39.8 — 2206th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Economic Vitality, where employment and wage conditions show moderate stress. Within Virginia, it ranks 102nd of 133 counties. Among its 9 neighboring counties, 7 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Augusta County's primary driver is Economic Vitality at 53.5 — above the national median.

Economic Vitality Primary driver 53.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 54
Rent-to-Income Ratio 47
Business Formation Rate 78
House Price Change (YoY) 20
Housing Cost Burden 49.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 52
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 55
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 59
Homeownership Rate 24
Legal Distress 47.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 48
Consumer Credit Distress 34.3
Debt in Collections 26
Medical Debt 14
Auto Loan Delinquency 58
Credit Card Delinquency 34
Uninsured Rate 41
Subprime Credit Population 33
Structural Poverty 29.2
Unemployment Rate 19
Poverty Rate 8
Income vs. State Median 25
Child Poverty Rate 12
Disability Rate 44
Transfer Income Dependency 55

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Augusta County
Augusta County, VA 39.8 Normal —
Waynesboro city, VA 64.1 Elevated +24.3
Staunton city, VA 55.0 Elevated +15.2
Pendleton County, WV 39.1 Normal -0.7
Highland County, VA 38.3 Normal -1.4
Nelson County, VA 36.8 Normal -2.9
Albemarle County, VA 34.4 Healthy -5.4
Rockbridge County, VA 32.5 Healthy -7.3
Rockingham County, VA 32.2 Healthy -7.5
Bath County, VA 30.1 Healthy -9.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Augusta County
Madison County, ID 39.8 Normal +0.1
James City County, VA 39.9 Normal +0.1
Bradford County, PA 39.6 Normal -0.2
LaSalle County, IL 39.5 Normal -0.2
Skagit County, WA 40.0 Normal +0.3

Download Data

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

Find Help in Augusta County

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 Augusta 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Augusta County has a County Distress Index score of 39.8 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,206th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 102nd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Augusta County?

    The primary driver of distress in Augusta County is Economic Vitality, where the county scores 53.5 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Wage-to-Rent Ratio, Rent-to-Income Ratio, Business Formation Rate.

  • How does Augusta County compare to neighboring counties?

    Augusta County (39.8) can be compared to its 9 neighboring counties: Waynesboro city, VA (64.1); Staunton city, VA (55.0); Pendleton County, WV (39.1).

  • 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 Normal 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). Augusta County's score of 39.8 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Augusta 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 Augusta County?

    Augusta County, Virginia has a population of approximately 78,247 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.