Colonial Heights city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Serious · 72.0 | 18,393 people · 14th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Colonial Heights city, VA shows significant household financial distress with a score of 72.0 — 315th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filing rates are well above the national average. Within Virginia, it ranks 14th of 133 counties. Its score is in the middle of its 2 neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Colonial Heights city's primary driver is Legal Distress at 94.0 — worse than roughly 94% of U.S. counties.

Legal Distress Primary driver 94.0
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 94
Housing Cost Burden 87.2
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 89
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 94
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 71
Homeownership Rate 77
Economic Vitality 76.3
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 95
Rent-to-Income Ratio 92
Business Formation Rate 23
House Price Change (YoY) 36
Consumer Credit Distress 69.4
Debt in Collections 64
Medical Debt 40
Auto Loan Delinquency 95
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 74
Structural Poverty 41.0
Unemployment Rate 38
Poverty Rate 24
Income vs. State Median 32
Child Poverty Rate 37
Disability Rate 58
Transfer Income Dependency 55

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Colonial Heights city
Colonial Heights city, VA 72.0 Serious —
Petersburg city, VA 88.3 Crisis +16.3
Chesterfield County, VA 51.3 Elevated -20.6

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Colonial Heights city
Marengo County, AL 72.0 Serious -0.0
Lee County, VA 72.0 Serious -0.0
McIntosh County, OK 71.9 Serious -0.0
Colquitt County, GA 71.9 Serious -0.1
Cibola County, NM 72.1 Serious +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Colonial Heights city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Colonial Heights city

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 Colonial Heights city 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 Colonial Heights city, Virginia?

    Colonial Heights city has a County Distress Index score of 72.0 out of 100, placing it in the Serious zone. It ranks 315th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 14th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Colonial Heights city?

    The primary driver of distress in Colonial Heights city is Legal Distress, where the county scores 94.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Colonial Heights city compare to neighboring counties?

    Colonial Heights city (72.0) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Petersburg city, VA (88.3); Chesterfield County, VA (51.3).

  • 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 Serious 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). Colonial Heights city's score of 72.0 sits in the Serious zone (71–86).

  • What data sources power Colonial Heights city's CDI score?

    Colonial Heights city'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 Colonial Heights city?

    Colonial Heights city, Virginia has a population of approximately 18,393 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.