Culpeper County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 48.5 | 54,973 people · 78th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Culpeper County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 48.5 — 1683rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Housing Cost Burden, where a large share of households spend more than 30% of income on housing. Within Virginia, it ranks 78th of 133 counties. Among its 6 neighboring counties, 5 show less distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Culpeper County's primary driver is Housing Cost Burden at 67.0 — above the national median.

Housing Cost Burden Primary driver 67.0
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 78
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 62
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 74
Homeownership Rate 50
Legal Distress 65.6
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 66
Economic Vitality 51.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 81
Rent-to-Income Ratio 27
Business Formation Rate 28
House Price Change (YoY) 21
Consumer Credit Distress 45.8
Debt in Collections 36
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 55
Credit Card Delinquency 56
Uninsured Rate 72
Subprime Credit Population 50
Structural Poverty 16.2
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 17
Income vs. State Median 7
Child Poverty Rate 18
Disability Rate 15
Transfer Income Dependency 21

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Culpeper County
Culpeper County, VA 48.5 Normal —
Spotsylvania County, VA 54.6 Elevated +6.2
Stafford County, VA 43.0 Normal -5.5
Orange County, VA 42.9 Normal -5.6
Rappahannock County, VA 31.3 Healthy -17.2
Fauquier County, VA 28.9 Healthy -19.6
Madison County, VA 26.4 Healthy -22.1

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Culpeper County
Mercer County, PA 48.5 Normal +0.0
Warren County, NY 48.4 Normal -0.0
Lewis County, WA 48.5 Normal +0.0
Franklin County, MA 48.5 Normal +0.1
Beaufort County, SC 48.4 Normal -0.1

Download Data

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

Find Help in Culpeper 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 Culpeper 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 Culpeper County, Virginia?

    Culpeper County has a County Distress Index score of 48.5 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 1,683rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 78th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Culpeper County?

    The primary driver of distress in Culpeper County is Housing Cost Burden, where the county scores 67.0 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Rent-Burdened (30%+), Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+), Mortgage-Burdened (30%+).

  • How does Culpeper County compare to neighboring counties?

    Culpeper County (48.5) can be compared to its 6 neighboring counties: Spotsylvania County, VA (54.6); Stafford County, VA (43.0); Orange County, VA (42.9).

  • 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). Culpeper County's score of 48.5 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Culpeper 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 Culpeper County?

    Culpeper County, Virginia has a population of approximately 54,973 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a mid county.