Galax city, Virginia

County Distress Index: Elevated · 59.6 | 6,717 people · 42nd most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Galax city, VA registers elevated household financial distress with a score of 59.6 — 982nd 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 42nd of 133 counties. It scores higher than all 2 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Galax city's primary driver is Structural Poverty at 67.4 — above the national median.

Structural Poverty Primary driver 67.4
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 88
Income vs. State Median 95
Child Poverty Rate 89
Disability Rate 33
Transfer Income Dependency 55
Economic Vitality 62.2
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 61
Rent-to-Income Ratio 70
Business Formation Rate 43
House Price Change (YoY) 85
Consumer Credit Distress 61.0
Debt in Collections 81
Medical Debt 33
Auto Loan Delinquency 69
Credit Card Delinquency 45
Uninsured Rate 44
Subprime Credit Population 71
Housing Cost Burden 57.7
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 67
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 40
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 39
Homeownership Rate 91
Legal Distress 38.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 38

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Galax city
Galax city, VA 59.6 Elevated —
Grayson County, VA 54.6 Elevated -5.0
Carroll County, VA 53.6 Elevated -6.0

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Galax city
Menifee County, KY 59.6 Elevated 0.0
Todd County, SD 59.6 Elevated +0.0
Donley County, TX 59.6 Elevated +0.0
Choctaw County, MS 59.7 Elevated +0.1
Jack County, TX 59.7 Elevated +0.1

Download Data

Export all distress indicators for Galax city as a CSV file.

Find Help in Galax 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 Galax 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 Galax city, Virginia?

    Galax city has a County Distress Index score of 59.6 out of 100, placing it in the Elevated zone. It ranks 982nd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 42nd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Galax city?

    The primary driver of distress in Galax city is Structural Poverty, where the county scores 67.4 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Unemployment Rate, Poverty Rate, Income vs. State Median.

  • How does Galax city compare to neighboring counties?

    Galax city (59.6) can be compared to its 2 neighboring counties: Grayson County, VA (54.6); Carroll County, VA (53.6).

  • 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). Galax city's score of 59.6 sits in the Elevated zone (55–71).

  • What data sources power Galax city's CDI score?

    Galax 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 Galax city?

    Galax city, Virginia has a population of approximately 6,717 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a tiny county.