Giles County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Normal · 41.9 | 16,457 people · 96th most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Giles County, VA falls within the normal range for household financial distress at 41.9 — 2073rd nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Virginia, it ranks 96th of 133 counties. Among its 7 neighboring counties, 6 show more distress.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Giles County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 53.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 53.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 53
Consumer Credit Distress 45.9
Debt in Collections 56
Medical Debt 16
Auto Loan Delinquency 13
Credit Card Delinquency 80
Uninsured Rate 47
Subprime Credit Population 56
Structural Poverty 45.8
Unemployment Rate 34
Poverty Rate 32
Income vs. State Median 57
Child Poverty Rate 35
Disability Rate 31
Transfer Income Dependency 68
Housing Cost Burden 34.5
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 23
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 59
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 6
Homeownership Rate 24
Economic Vitality 24.5
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 5
Rent-to-Income Ratio 24
Business Formation Rate 79
House Price Change (YoY) 18

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Giles County
Giles County, VA 41.9 Normal —
Mercer County, WV 64.6 Elevated +22.7
Summers County, WV 61.3 Elevated +19.4
Pulaski County, VA 55.6 Elevated +13.6
Monroe County, WV 48.5 Normal +6.5
Craig County, VA 42.7 Normal +0.7
Montgomery County, VA 42.3 Normal +0.3
Bland County, VA 36.2 Normal -5.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Giles County
Northumberland County, VA 42.0 Normal +0.0
Page County, IA 42.0 Normal +0.0
Williams County, ND 42.1 Normal +0.1
Mille Lacs County, MN 42.1 Normal +0.2
Gasconade County, MO 42.1 Normal +0.2

Download Data

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

Find Help in Giles County

HUD-Approved Housing Counselors

Free foreclosure prevention and financial counseling near Giles County.

NEW RIVER COMMUNITY ACTION (GILES COUNTY)
PEARISBURG
540-921-2146-0217 Website
Foreclosure PreventionFair HousingHomeless/DisplacementPre-Lease/Pre-Purchase

See all counselors in Virginia →

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 Giles 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.

Need legal help? Find a foreclosure defense attorney in Virginia →

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Frequently Asked Questions

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

    Giles County has a County Distress Index score of 41.9 out of 100, placing it in the Normal zone. It ranks 2,073rd nationally out of 3,144 counties and 96th in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Giles County?

    The primary driver of distress in Giles County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 53.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Giles County compare to neighboring counties?

    Giles County (41.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Mercer County, WV (64.6); Summers County, WV (61.3); 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 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). Giles County's score of 41.9 sits in the Normal zone (46–55).

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

    Giles 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 Giles County?

    Giles County, Virginia has a population of approximately 16,457 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.