Carroll County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 53.6 | 29,239 people · 66th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Carroll County, VA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 53.6 — 1365th 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 66th of 133 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. Carroll County's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.6 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.6
Unemployment Rate 55
Poverty Rate 68
Income vs. State Median 88
Child Poverty Rate 70
Disability Rate 65
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Consumer Credit Distress 57.9
Debt in Collections 60
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 89
Credit Card Delinquency 65
Uninsured Rate 56
Subprime Credit Population 50
Legal Distress 57.5
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 58
Economic Vitality 56.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 64
Rent-to-Income Ratio 44
Business Formation Rate 76
House Price Change (YoY) 15
Housing Cost Burden 33.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 14
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 51
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 42
Homeownership Rate 30

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Carroll County, VA 53.6 Elevated —
Wythe County, VA 59.8 Elevated +6.2
Galax city, VA 59.6 Elevated +6.0
Pulaski County, VA 55.6 Elevated +2.0
Grayson County, VA 54.6 Elevated +1.0
Surry County, NC 53.5 Elevated -0.1
Patrick County, VA 51.6 Elevated -2.0
Floyd County, VA 29.9 Healthy -23.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Carroll County
Montezuma County, CO 53.6 Elevated -0.0
Siskiyou County, CA 53.6 Elevated +0.0
Pendleton County, KY 53.7 Elevated +0.1
Smith County, MS 53.5 Elevated -0.1
Manassas city, VA 53.5 Elevated -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Carroll 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 Carroll 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 Carroll County, Virginia?

    Carroll County has a County Distress Index score of 53.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 1,365th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 66th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Carroll County?

    The primary driver of distress in Carroll County is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.6 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Carroll County compare to neighboring counties?

    Carroll County (53.6) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Wythe County, VA (59.8); Galax city, VA (59.6); Pulaski County, VA (55.6).

  • 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). Carroll County's score of 53.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

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

    Carroll 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 Carroll County?

    Carroll County, Virginia has a population of approximately 29,239 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.