Goochland County, Virginia

County Distress Index: Healthy · 17.9 | 27,197 people · 133rd most distressed in Virginia
American Default Research

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Goochland County, VA ranks among the least distressed counties in the country at 17.9 — 3105th nationally out of 3144 counties. The primary driver is Legal Distress, where bankruptcy filings are moderately elevated. Within Virginia, it ranks 133rd of 133 counties. It scores lower than all 7 of its neighboring counties.

The Numbers Behind the Score

The CDI measures five statistically derived factors of household financial distress, PCA-weighted. Goochland County's primary driver is Legal Distress at 60.1 — above the national median.

Legal Distress Primary driver 60.1
Bankruptcy Filing Rate 60
Housing Cost Burden 31.3
Rent-Burdened (30%+) 35
Severely Rent-Burdened (50%+) 37
Mortgage-Burdened (30%+) 44
Homeownership Rate 1
Economic Vitality 13.4
Wage-to-Rent Ratio 1
Rent-to-Income Ratio 7
Business Formation Rate 24
House Price Change (YoY) 74
Consumer Credit Distress 9.3
Debt in Collections 5
Medical Debt 20
Auto Loan Delinquency 17
Credit Card Delinquency 3
Uninsured Rate 1
Subprime Credit Population 9
Structural Poverty 6.7
Unemployment Rate 23
Poverty Rate 3
Income vs. State Median 1
Child Poverty Rate 5
Disability Rate 12
Transfer Income Dependency 3

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

Neighbors and Peers

Neighboring Counties

CountyScoreZonevs. Goochland County
Goochland County, VA 17.9 Healthy —
Cumberland County, VA 56.7 Elevated +38.8
Henrico County, VA 55.5 Elevated +37.5
Chesterfield County, VA 51.3 Elevated +33.4
Louisa County, VA 50.2 Elevated +32.3
Fluvanna County, VA 36.8 Normal +18.9
Hanover County, VA 32.8 Healthy +14.9
Powhatan County, VA 28.6 Healthy +10.7

Population Peers

CountyScoreZonevs. Goochland County
Bremer County, IA 17.8 Healthy -0.2
Butler County, IA 18.1 Healthy +0.2
Sioux County, IA 18.1 Healthy +0.2
Holt County, NE 17.7 Healthy -0.2
Mitchell County, IA 17.5 Healthy -0.4

Download Data

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

Find Help in Goochland 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 Goochland 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 Goochland County, Virginia?

    Goochland County has a County Distress Index score of 17.9 out of 100, placing it in the Healthy zone. It ranks 3,105th nationally out of 3,144 counties and 133rd in Virginia out of 133 counties.

  • What drives financial distress in Goochland County?

    The primary driver of distress in Goochland County is Legal Distress, where the county scores 60.1 out of 100. This domain is measured by indicators including Bankruptcy Filing Rate.

  • How does Goochland County compare to neighboring counties?

    Goochland County (17.9) can be compared to its 7 neighboring counties: Cumberland County, VA (56.7); Henrico County, VA (55.5); 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 Healthy 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). Goochland County's score of 17.9 sits in the Healthy zone (below 46).

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

    Goochland 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 Goochland County?

    Goochland County, Virginia has a population of approximately 27,197 (2023 Census estimate), classified as a small county.